The Bengal unit of the BJP on Friday activated its workers and cadre to celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at each of the 77,000 polling stations across the state, which is a way for the party to use the occasion to connect with the people of Bengal. Effort. Before the Lok Sabha elections.
Although the BJP failed to touch all the booths in the state due to its organizational shortcomings, its leaders believe they reached “at least 60 per cent” of their target area this time.
“Unlike the last few years, this time there were clear instructions to party leaders across the state to ensure at least one program at each polling station in their district. Although this was not a political programme, we consider this effort a success for the party as we covered at least 60 per cent of the booths in the state with this ‘apolitical’ programme,” said a senior BJP leader in Calcutta.
A BJP source said the party’s special campaign to celebrate Vivekananda’s birth anniversary at the grassroots level was important at a time when the ruling Trinamool Congress has traditionally targeted Bengal’s culture and the saffron camp’s “alienation” with cultural clans. Is.
Celebrating Vivekananda’s birth anniversary has always been important in the political calendar of the saffron ecosystem. However, in the case of Bengal, its activities were still limited to Calcutta, district headquarters and areas where the party had organizational strength.
This time, in districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan and Hooghly, the BJP took out colorful processions as part of its celebrations, distributed fruits in hospitals and warm clothes in slums, besides talking to people about the 19th century philosopher. Organized small street meetings. Contribution.
A BJP leader said: “This time, we instructed our senior leaders in the districts to ask local party presidents to lead events in gram panchayats or booths as they can directly connect with the voters. Generally, junior leaders or party officials at the Gram Panchayat level do not get a chance to deliver speeches in political meetings or programs. But on this occasion, grassroots level leaders took charge.”
State Executive Committee member in-charge of Howrah district, Subir Nag, praised the party workers for successfully organizing the program. “We focused on small-scale programs at each booth apart from the usual rallies at district headquarters,” Nag said. Various social activities helped us connect with people. This time the participation of our workers was important.”
BJP state chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya claimed that the party is taking all measures to ensure that it gets 35 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal, the target set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Asked about this year’s massive public relations campaign, he said, “We had set a target of winning 22 seats in 2019 and we succeeded in winning 18 seats. Now the target is 35 seats and we want to do everything right to achieve this milestone.” Drive by his party on 12 January.
Bengal’s ruling Trinamool leadership had made it mandatory to celebrate January 12 as Vivekananda’s birth anniversary since the party came to power in 2011. This year, party state president Subrata Bakshi issued instructions to celebrate the occasion in every block of the state.
Trinamool leaders termed the saffron camp’s programs as a failed attempt to connect with the people of Bengal on the birth anniversary of Vivekananda.
Referring to the verbal duel between Bengal minister and Trinamool MLA Udayan Guha and Majumdar over the philosopher’s comments, Trinamool state general secretary and spokesperson Tanmay Ghosh said, “It was not long ago when BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar had criticized Swamy. Vivekananda was insulted.” On football after the mass Gita recitation program of the saffron ecosystem in Calcutta last month. “They may try whatever they want, but they cannot win the hearts of the people of Bengal by celebrating Swamiji’s birth anniversary.”
