BJP State leaders may be a bit relieved after its performance in the just-concluded Assembly polls, but its Central leadership feels otherwise.
It has expressed dissatisfaction with the State unit over the latter’s show even as the party opened its account in the Assembly with the victory of O. Rajagopal from Nemom.
Report submitted
Party president Amit Shah, who received a report submitted by State president Kummanam Rajasekharan, P.K. Krishnadas, and M.T. Ramesh on Monday, still feels that Kerala remains a knotty problem.
The BJP’s Central leadership, which pumped in money and resources in an unprecedented way, had wanted the State unit to increase the party’s vote share to 20 per cent and win 7 to 10 seats.
However, the BJP-led coalition could secure more than 20 per cent of votes in only 34 Assembly segments. Even after forming an alliance with the BDJS and likeminded minor parties, the NDA nominees were able to muster only between 15 and 20 per cent in another 30 seats.
Vote share
It is learnt that the State unit’s report stated that the BJP candidates had been able to eat into the vote share of both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPÍ(M)-led LDF.
The BJP which polled 6.06 per cent in 2011 made a quantum jump to 15.01 per cent. At the same time, the LDF polled 45.19 per cent in 2011, but now it was 43.31 per cent.
The UDF was elected to power with 43.31 per cent in 2011 but its vote share dropped to 38.86 per cent.
Party sources said Mr. Shah would visit the State to take stock of the polls results and set up another target focussing on the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.
The date of his visit has not been finalised as he is busy with the national executive meeting slated for June 12 in Allahabad.
It is also unclear whether any more leaders from the State would be accommodated in the national executive. BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi will lead a campaign against CPI(M) at Pinarayi village on June 8 and Minister for Communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad at Palayam Martyr’s Column on June 16.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh will also sent a delegation to the State to study the alleged atrocities committed by the CPI(M) on BJP and RSS cadres after the polls.
The BJP-led coalition could secure more than 20 per cent of votes in only 34 Assembly segments.
