Delhi: BJP meet to discuss poll strategy, bridge factions
As voices of dissent within the party grow louder and the demand to name a chief ministerial candidate gains momentum, the state leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called a meeting of the state executive committee on June 18 to plan a strategy for the upcoming elections.
As voices of dissent within the party grow louder and the demand to name a chief ministerial candidate gains momentum, the state leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called a meeting of the state executive committee on June 18 to plan a strategy for the upcoming elections.
Sources said the party will formally launch its poll campaign at the state executive meeting. The cadres will be told to make the public aware about the “shortcomings of the Congress government” and how the “BJP can bring about a change”.
“The state executive will finalise the issues we have to highlight in the poll campaign,” a senior party leader said.
A section of Delhi leaders recently met BJP President Rajnath Singh and demanded that the party declare the chief ministerial candidate now. Sources said several party leaders — who had come together at the dinner hosted by former Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra — expressed their unhappiness over the way Delhi BJP chief was calling the shots.
“We need someone who can mobilise the cadres. We can’t go for polls with Vijay Goel as leader. This issue is likely to crop up at the state executive,” a senior BJP leader said requesting anonymity.
Sources said the central leadership was aware of the rift and asked Goel and leaders of the other faction to join hands to contest the elections.
Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel, however, announced a detailed programme ahead of the state executive meeting.
“We are holding a youth convention at Talkatora stadium and public rallies at Palam and Kirari in the next few days. On June 14, we have convened a meeting of the coordinators of all 70 Assembly constituencies.