Finding itself in a tight spot, the BJP in the State is trying to build tempo for its second phase of pre-poll campaign around the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State on January 28.
Mr. Modi will address a rally in Bengaluru to mark the culmination of the ongoing Parivarthana Yatra, the pre-poll campaign led by party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa. The party hopes the rally will help set the tone for the next level of poll preparations. This is expected to be discussed at a strategy session to be held by BJP national president Amit Shah in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
“Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Bengaluru on Sunday was a precursor to the Modi visit,” a senior leader in the party noted, adding that the saffron party is now trying to rope in Central and prominent leaders from other States to strengthen its campaign in Karnataka. Mr. Shah is said to also be keen on the party cadre focusing on micromanagement strategies. “Especially after the Gujarat polls, which was won by the BJP by a narrow margin, we are particular about micromanagement at the booth level,” a BJP leader said.
Apart from appointing “Page Pramukhs” — in charge leaders for every page on the voter’s list in each polling booth — the BJP has taken up the process of enrolling Dalits and OBCs as members in its organisation.
The BJP has set a target of enrolling five to eight lakh Dalits and OBCs, the Congress’ main support base.
