BJP’s final for Pune based on Shah ‘survey’

With the survey grading the candidates on various parameters, the key areas included – electoral merit, connect with the people in the area, understanding of the issues in the area, age factor and ability to take up and fight for an issue. “The survey also dealt with contribution to the party and the work and other members feedback on the candidates,” said a party member. The team carried out a three-phase campaign in which interviews, discussions and surveys helped ready the list,” the member added. While sitting MLAs continued to dominate in the surveys, there were also new names that were basically party workers who had shown their presence through their work in the party and they merited the seat, explains a senior party worker. Even after the survey and the list was readied, the final list was again put up for discussions and there were some minor changes before the candidates were declared.

With it being a close-knit group of Shah, the survey and discussions were carried out for the specific period and only once they were convinced did they decide on the candidate. While the party had readied the list before his rally in Pune, insiders said that the survey showed confidence that BJP leaders could put up a tough fight.

Interestingly when Shah attended his first rally as BJP national president he urged his party workers to be booth level workers and understand the pulse of the masses and take up development as agenda without mentioning the alliance partner Sena.