BJP bets on young india to recapture lost ground

The BJP is looking for ways to woo the young, urban voter. On Monday, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran M.G. Vaidya will formally induct 100 young professionals as volunteers.

The BJP is looking for ways to woo the young, urban voter.

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On Monday, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran M.G. Vaidya will formally induct 100 young professionals as volunteers.

The BJP, which used to do well in big cities until recently, lost cities like Delhi and Mumbai in the last Lok Sabha polls.

“It is our constant effort to promote the involvement of professionals sharing our ideological views in the party,” said BJP general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad. But, at the same time the party is trying to shake off the urban-only tag that it got stuck with during the India Shining Campaign. He added, “Our party is a blend of all sections: farmers, Dalits, women, young professionals, and this is also reflected in our just-announced team."

The volunteers had to undergo eight months training before induction. “The question is what values we can inculcate in successful young professions; how we can make them link Hindutva and politics ... ,” said Delhi BJP leader Vijay Jolly.