Delhi polls: AAP fear prompts BJP to plan ‘intense, aggressive’ campaign

Kailash Vijaywargiya and Bhupendra Yadav, two leaders who played a key role in the Assembly elections in Haryana, also attended the meeting.

“The leaders discussed micro management of the campaign as Delhi election is very crucial to the BJP,” a BJP leader said. “The leaders discussed booth management, campaign to project the vision and development agenda BJP has for Delhi and the strategy to counter the ‘lies’ spread by the AAP and Kejriwal at the ground level,” the leader added.

Shah asked the leaders to highlight the comparisons between party’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi’s track record in administration and that of Kejriwal. “The voters should be reminded how Kejriwal campaigned against corruption but joined hands with Congress to form the government in Delhi,” the leader explained.

Party leaders have admitted that the “traction” AAP is getting in the campaign is “worrying” the party. “The leaders have been asked to expose the AAP and its ‘lies’,” a source said.

Tuesday’s meeting was the second one after Shah’s meeting on January 25. Senior leaders and ministers have been given responsibility of one Assembly segment each and districts for election management.

No sign yet of BJP manifesto

By Pragya Kaushika

With barely a week left for campaigning to end, the BJP is yet to launch its manifesto for the Assembly elections. The party has made Harsh Vardhan the convener of the manifesto committee. When asked about its release, Harsh Vardhan said that the final draft had been sent by him to other leaders for additions or amendments.

“I have sent the final draft from my side. Rest depends on others and the state unit to release it,” he said.

Sources in the party said the manifesto has been sent to Kiran Bedi for final approval.

“She would need to make some additions, so the manifesto has been sent to her. Last time we checked (on Friday), it was with her. Then the manifesto will come to the Delhi unit and final approval of the Delhi unit chief would be sought for its release,” a senior party member said.

The manifesto was scheduled for release on January 28, but many believe it would take another day or two. Many believe that the final draft could trigger some controversy over the issue of full statehood to Delhi as Bedi has already made it clear that full statehood is not her priority as civil defence would assist the police.

“They have made a mockery of the manifesto, it does not make any sense to release it so late. What is the point and need?” asked a senior party leader on condition of anonymity.