With barely four days left for the Delhi Assembly polls, the BJP has decided to launch a multi-pronged, all-out attack on the Aam Aadmi Party through advertisements in newspapers, media debates and stirring controversies which will put the party on the back foot.
In the run-up to the election on February 7, the BJP leadership is reported to have directed its spokespersons to launch a no-holds barred attack on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, by taking forward charges which will discredit him in the eyes of the electorate.
The exposé by some AAP rebels has given the BJP the handle it was looking for to “demolish the AAP,” as a BJP source put it.
Although the BJP maintains it is inching towards a win, most poll surveys give the AAP an edge which has the BJP worried. Party president Amit Shah cancelled a visit to Lucknow on Tuesday and stayed put in Delhi for many reasons, including management of elections.
In fact, pre-poll surveys giving an edge to AAP and showing Mr. Kejriwal as a favourite for the Chief Minister’s post have been used by the BJP to galvanise its Delhi unit into action. At the same time, Congress attempts to revive itself is also good news for the BJP as it will split Muslim and jhuggi jhonpari votes that went to the AAP in the 2013 elections.
The BJP’s major worry now is to get people out to vote. A senior party leader said those made in charge of polling booths, etc, have been asked to ensure that people, especially the middle-class, come out to vote.
