BJP sets up poll managemant panel

The BJP sources however, indicated that the committee was formed in consultation with Vajpayee and was aimed at scotching rumours of an Advani-Vajpayee rift.

Other members of the committee are BJP vice president K Jana Krishnamurthi, general secretaries, KN Govindacharya, M Venkaiah Naidu and Narendra Modi. Two Atal-loyalists Pramod Mahajan and Jaswant Singh besides Ved Prakash Goyal and Sushma Swaraj too figure in the committee.

Though Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi has been left out, journalist and Rajya Sabha MP Arun Shourie and lawyer Arun Jetley figure inthe committee.

8220;We just wanted to utilise Advaniji8217;s experience as former party chief, during elections8221; said Naidu. Asked why another former party president, Joshi has been left out, he said Joshi8217;s services will be utilised as one of the chief campaigners.

Advani intends to devote at least three to four hours to the party from tomorrow. But since his room could not be prepared today, the Home Minister will start working from the party office by Monday.

The BJP is likely to finalise a list of 25 leaders who would campaign for the party candidates. Their campaign schedule however, would be decided only after announcement of poll dates.

The party president, Kushabhau Thakre has constituted a composite panel this time though there always used to be separate five-member committees for campaigning, election management and manifesto. 8220;We won8217;t have a separate manifesto this time so there was no need for manifesto committee.

Jaswant Singh headed the manifesto committee so far and Mahajan was in chargeof the election management committee last year. Both being members of Rajya Sabha, are unlikely to contest Lok Sabha polls, therefore would be fully devoted to the party during elections.

BJP is likely to launch an anti-Sonia campaign during elections. Party general secretary Narendra Modi has even coined a slogan, 8220;Hatao ek videshi nari, jisne hataya Atal Behari8221; Defeat the foreign lady, who removed Atal Behari.

BJP vice president JP Mathur went a step further questioning Sonia8217;s credentials and patriotism. 8220;If one of us settles abroad, we are bound to be more loyal to our native country first and adopted country later8221; he said.

Quoting from the Prime Minister8217;s address to the nation relayed yesterday, 8220;There are some secrets which are known only to the Prime Minister8221;, Mathur apprehended that such secrets may be handed over to a foreign country Italy if Sonia became the Prime Minister.