The BJP’s Satish Poonia, appointed the party’s Punjab in-charge, has started prepping the strategy for Punjab Assembly elections due next year – which by most accounts, could follow the pattern used in Haryana to great success. The plan focuses on separate teams for every assembly seat, small groups for different areas, leaders with strong personal contacts and regular feedback from the ground.
Rajasthan’s border districts were a key part of Poonia’s Haryana strategy. Party workers from the neighbouring state were sent to areas where they already had personal contacts. They worked with local BJP workers and helped in election management.
Preference can be given to leaders and workers who have strong personal contacts in a particular area. Rajasthan’s border districts were a key part of Poonia’s Haryana strategy. Party workers from the neighbouring state were sent to areas where they already had personal contacts. They worked with local BJP workers and helped in election management. The final decision will depend on the BJP’s central leadership. The BJP, he added, has followed alliance politics since the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era and has taken political decisions in the larger interest of democracy. A challenge before Poonia will be to strengthen the Punjab BJP organisation. The party has recently made several organisational appointments. These changes have also led to differences among some old BJP leaders and workers. The BJP has also inducted several leaders from other parties, including the Congress.
Under Poonia’s strategy, an assembly constituency will be divided and each area put under a separate team, sources said. Poonia told NDT that it is too early to make any clear statement about the alliance. He said he would go first to Punjab, meet party leaders and workers and understand the ground situation. Poonia also said the BJP and Akali Dal had a good political relationship during the time of former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Poonia also attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, saying the people are unhappy and there is an “undercurrent” against the party.
Poonia may have to manage these differences and bring the organisation together before the elections.
