Delhi civic polls: Eye on migrants, BJP to deploy Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

NEW DELHI: The BJP has lined up its top leaders to campaign in the upcoming civic elections in Delhi. The impressive array includes Yogi Adityanath, who is expected to hold meetings on April 19 and 20. While BJP road shows and street meetings are already being addressed by union ministers, including Venkaiah Naidu and Harshvardhan, Yogi’s presence is being planned as a show of strength after the party’s victory in UP. The party is also looking at bringing in Union minister Smriti Irani, MP Hema Malini and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis as part of the campaign.

Sources added the UP CM is expected to campaign in northwest and west Delhi where the party has a strong cadre base. While the urban wards (mainly west Delhi areas such Janakpuri, Tilak Nagar and Rajouri Garden) have traditionally voted for BJP, the rural wards, including as Kirari, Narela and Brijwasan, have a strong presence of Purvanchali migrants. With the migrant from UP and Bihar comprising of a third of the electorates in Delhi, the party is hoping that the UP CM’s presence wll help fetch more votes for the party.

Delhi party chief and MP Manoj Tiwari has also been wooing Purvanchalis have traditionally voted for the Congress. The BJP has given tickets to 27 Purvanchali candidates as against 14 in the last municipal elections.