Congress has new chiefs in two states, BJP has an election programme in both

The BJP has formed 13 committees — for programmes such as manifesto, vision document, publicity, media, social media and campaign (under the head of special outreach programme), new voters, allegations of bad governance by the Congress and UPA, election commission, and legal affairs. It has put a leader in charge of each constituency.

In a meeting Monday, 400 party workers and senior leaders including elected legislators, ministers, the heads of the 13 committees and assembly poll candidates who lost discussed the roadmap for a massive campaign from February 11, death anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.

“We will send out two suraaj raths per constituency from February 11 to March 3. A door-to-door campaigning from February 11 to 28 will seek ‘ek vote, ek note’ , or contributions in currency notes from Re 1 to Rs 1,000, a token exercise that will help generate funds as well as develop a connect with the people. From February 21 to March 30, parliamentary meetings will be held across the state, chaired by Vasundhara Raje,” said Kaptan Singh Solanki, in charge of the state for the party’s national leadership.

The BJP has hired an agency to survey feedback from voters on three names it has shortlisted for each constituency. The most popular one will be fielded, Solanki said.

The Congress, meanwhile, says it is banking on its present strength of 20 MPs, several of whom hold key portfolios at the Centre. “We already have 20 MPs, all of whom have worked very well, and therefore we need not go on an overdrive to scout for candidates. Our observers had come even before the assembly elections and have given the feedback to the high command. A central screening committee too has been formed under the leadership of Pawan Bansal,” said party spokesperson Archana Sharma.

The party’s outgoing state chief, Dr Chandrabhan, had resigned after the poll defeat on December 8, when he too lost his seat.

Sachin, 36, union corporate affairs minister, Ajmer MP, and son of Rajesh Pilot, sounded optimistic about the Congress’s prospects. “We have implicit faith in the party workers and will work hard and reach out to the masses. The Congress is a significant political factor in Rajasthan that cannot be discounted,” he told reporters.

“He is a young and dynamic leader who has proved his popularity. I am sure he will give a clear direction to the PCC,” said Gurudas Kamat, in charge of Rajasthan for the AICC.

For the BJP, minister Rajendra Rathore said, “Pilot’s appointment will not affect the Congress’s prospects. The common man of Rajasthan does not even know him.”
— with ENS, Delhi