Following Amit Shah’s advise, BJP to focus on Dalit and minorities

The BJP is gearing up to focus on Dalit and minorities a day after party president Amit Shah concluded his two-day tour to Dehradun and gave success mantra to party leaders

The BJP is gearing up to focus on Dalit and minorities a day after party president Amit Shah concluded his two-day tour to Dehradun and gave success mantra to party leaders.

Transport minister Yashpal Arya addresses grievances of people at Janta Darshan in BJP head office in Dehradun.(Vinay Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

The party’s Dailt face Yashpal Arya, a cabinet minister, who switched over from the Congress just before the assembly polls, said the BJP would have to work extensively in US Nagar, Haridwar, Nainital and Dehradun districts.

“The assembly poll results show that Dalits entrusted faith on the BJP but we need to assure that government and party fulfil their expectations,” Arya told HT here on Wednesday minutes after taking a meeting with the party minorities cell and other related departments.

While the BJP won in 57 out of the 70 assembly constituencies, two significant seats of Haridwar-Peeran Kaliyar and Mangalore, which have a sizable Muslim population, went to the Congress.

Furkan Ahmad won from Haridwar-Peeran Kaliyar constituency while Kazi Maulana Nizammuddin from Mangalore.

Shah has also asked the BJP to spread its reach in seats where it could not win.

“We feel the pressure,” Arya said adding on, “People supported us and they expect a lot from us. Now, it’s our turn to resolve their issues.”

Nostalgic about former union minister ND Tiwari, who suffered brain stroke and is admitted at a hospital in Delhi, Arya said, “He did handholding for me in the field of politics. He was one of the most vibrant leaders and as and when I will get time, I will pay his a visit.”