BJP ropes in Maharashtra leaders for Rajasthan

The reason for Maharashtra BJPs connect in Rajasthan is the tried and tested Rajasthan Model.

Chief minister candidate Vasundhara Raje is well-versed with Marathi language and culture,but that is not the reason why Maharashtra BJP leaders are in greater demand for campaigning in Rajasthan as compared to Delhi,MP,Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.

The primary reason for Maharashtra BJPs connect in Rajasthan is the tried and tested Rajasthan Model that was rolled out by the late Pramod Mahajan in 2003.

At the Mumbai party headquarters,office-bearers recall how Mahajans model was a success. Mahajan,who had taken up the elections challenge in Rajasthan,had left the entire ground work to the Maharashtra unit. He shortlisted party leaders from the state himself who parked themselves for almost three months to oversee his strategies and execution in all the 200 assembly segments across the state.

A senior leader,currently stationed in Kota,said,As far as Maharashtra is concerned,we are adopting the 2003 Rajasthan Model this time also. And we have to a great extent roped the same individuals who are familiar with the geography and language in the region.

Leader of the Opposition in state council Vinod Tawde said,Rajasthan has become a familiar state as we have already campaigned extensively in the previous elections. Therefore,we see larger number of state leaders campaigning in Rajasthan compared to other places. In Delhi,there is a likelihood of BJP leaders from neighbouring Haryana playing a greater role because of proximity and familiarity with the poll turf.

In Delhi,the elections command is in the hands of Nitin Gadkari,who is also from Maharashtra. But he has clearly indicated he would rely on the services of BJP workers and leaders from Delhi,Haryana and Punjab.

According to BJP general secretary,organisation incharge of Maharashtra,Ravi Bhusari,There is no state wise division. The deployment of leaders and workers during the elections depends on the requirement and demand from state and leaders.

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It is often proximity coupled with culture that also works in campaign. In case of Rajasthan,we have a sizeable number of BJP workers from that state who are based in Mumbai. So their services are availed. It works better as they return to their native places and work effectively.

About 40 party MLAs from Maharashtra along with central leaders like Gopinath Munde will also campaign in Rajasthan. According to Bhusari,More than 400 party workers have been allocated areas to cover. Of the total 200 assembly constituencies,58 seats have been allocated for aggressive campaigning for Maharashtra leaders. They will cover Kota,Udaipur,Jodhpur and Bikaner.