BJP parliamentary board to analyse poll setbacks

BJP has retained control over six municipal corporations, however, it has lost to Congress in the 22 district panchayats. And the defeat in rural areas has become very a major jolt for the party.

A senior leader who is also a minister in the Anandiben Patel government said that the reasons behind the poor show in rural areas could be different and all those reasons would be considered in the meeting. The leader also suggested that during the meeting, a strategy might be discussed to win back the rural voters to the party. Another senior leader from the party said that the major factor behind the party’s defeat in rural Gujarat was Patidar community.

“Patidars are the backbone of rural economy. And unlike Congress party, they are also the base of BJP in Gujarat. So, when they are disgruntled, obviously the party would face the consequences. So naturally, the issue of winning them back to the party will be discussed by the party leaders,” the leader said.

“Patidars had demanded reservation which was denied by BJP. But, opposition Congress also did not promise them the reservation. So, I hope the (Patidar) community will realise as to where does the interests of the community lie,” the leader added while indicating that strategy might be discussed to make the community realise this especially when 2017 assembly elections are not too far.

In an unrelated development, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel conducted a thorough review of the Saurashtra Narmada Avatran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana which was launched by the then chief minister Narendra Modi to provide Narmada water to 115 water bodies of Saurashtra region. Saurashtra is where the BJP suffered a major setback. The meeting was also attended by Irrigation Ministers Babu Bokhiria and his junior Nanu Vanani along with concerned senior IAS officers and engineers.