Consolidation, expansion to be buzz-words at BJP meet

The BJP is likely to make an aggressive push even in states where it has alliances, though this may cause some confusion with its regional partners. Though the party has succeeded in forming a Government at the Centre, the leadership is worried over its unexpectedly poor performance in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana. These three states are to be discussed threadbare during the review of the election results so that the corrective steps can be taken before Assembly elections.

The BJP leadership will also do some introspection on questions such as why few sitting MPswere re-elected in some states, why the incumbency factor went against the party in states like Rajasthan, Haryana and Maharashtra but did not apply in Punjab and Delhi, and examine the extent to which social factors and alliances helped the BJP. Plans are also afoot to hold training camps in several states, especially those like Andhra Pradesh where nearly five lakh people joined the BJP on the eve of general elections. "We want to absorb the newcomers, consolidate and expand," said party general secretary M Venkaiah Naidu. Undeterred by the fact that the Telugu Desam Party has promised issue-based support to the Vajpayee Government, the BJP is training its sights on the AP Assembly elections (due next year-end). In the next 18 months, the aim is to increase its vote percentage from the 20 per cent it got in the Lok Sabha polls to 40 per cent so that the BJP becomes a force to be reckoned with in the State.