BJP is following Assam model for upcoming UP polls

NEW DELHI: ‘ Bihar ki haar, Assam ki Jeet’ — this is the working model on which BJP is carving out its campaign strategy for Uttar Pradesh.

Essentially, as top party source told ET, the idea is to take the Assam model forward. What does this mean? An internal exercise was carried out on this, also discussed threadbare among senior party functionaries and a broad blueprint is now ready for a final call.

ET accessed certain key suggestions, which are likely to be taken forward.

These include:
Don’t turn the election into a referendum for the Central government, a strategy that worked in Assam. The key observation here is to have focused and controlled publicity campaigns targeted at highlighting the poor performance of the incumbent governmennt.

Except for the Prime Minister’s rallies, the party should not over invest its campaign on massive roadshows and rallies.

Make special effort for those candidates who have defected from other parties to ensure they don’t boomerang on the party.

Block and village-level campaigns by ministers and party seniors from outside the state was seen as interference by local workers in Bihar and must be limited. These leaders should restrict themselves to big cities and centres.

The other important element of this package of suggestions is the emphasis on low-key but effective coordination with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh so that they complement the party’s efforts.

Key RSS activities to be planned in tandem are:
Setting up of three RSS kendras (centres), one each at Lucknow, Meerut and Gorakhpur. These tend to act as hub for public connect. RSS pracharak Dattatreya Hosabale, who has already been deputed for the UP polls, will man the Lucknow centre. Incidentally, he was also posted in Patna for the Bihar elections.

RSS’s educational institutions and other affiliates will host cultural events, street plays on general awareness issue that will dovetail the hardcore political campaign. The first set of activities are planned at Varanasi.

The RSS will also help with feedback surveys on shortlisted candidates, their profiles and public impression.