Gadkari tells BJP office-bearers to work at grass roots level

Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari reviewed the party's plans for a protest rally here against high prices on April 21at the first meeting of his newly-appointed office-bearers.

Each member of his team was given the responsibility of organising maximum participation from his or her State. And party office-bearers, especially at the State-level, were told that henceforth they must spend at least eight days in a month touring their areas for party work at the grass roots level.

After the meeting, party general secretary Ananth Kumar told reporters the ‘Sansad Chalo' (March to Parliament) programme was to focus attention on the back-breaking price rise, especially of the essential food items.

Stir to be peaceful

“It will be massive and it totally peaceful. And we will not try to go ‘gherao' or surround Parliament or go further than allowed by the police, nor will we court arrest,” he said. Party workers and supporters from all over the country would first meet at the Ram Lila grounds here and after the address by leaders, they will begin the march to Parliament.

Dantewada carnage

The meeting adopted a resolution on the Dantewada Naxal killing, reiterating their position that the BJP was with the government on any firm step it may take to “finish” Naxalism. But, the party criticised the Congress government for allowing Naxals to grow in strength in the last six years and “cosying up” to them during some State elections. The party demanded a well coordinated plan between Central and State police forces to take on Naxal violence.

Mr. Gadkari emphasised the need to focus on organisational, political and electoral issues. Every State unit is being asked to focus on these three areas with at least eight days in a month devoted to grass roots work by every party leader.

The party, Mr. Gadkari said, would also organise training camps for young members where they can learn about ideological and contemporary issues.

The next party conclave — the first meeting of the reconstituted national executive committee — would be held in Patna in June, it was announced.