On Monday morning, there was an unusual visitor at the popular Gyani Tea Stall on Cooper Road in Amritsar in BJP MLA and local bodies minister Anil Joshi.
The banners hung outside indicated that the minister was to attend a 'Chai Chopal' organised by his party to highlight Gujarat chief minister Narendera Modi as someone who can lead the country from the front.
With Lok Sabha polls round the corner, the BJP high command has evolved the 'Chai Chopal' concept to popularise Modi. The party plans to organise around over 10,000 such public gatherings across the country.
A senior BJP leader will project Modi over a cup of tea at any popular tea stall in his or her city or town. The senior leader can be a minister.
Joshi went around shaking hands with some of those who were seated there. The minister took hold of the kettle and poured tea for those present there.
The cups had Modi’s photograph on one side and Joshi on the other. The BJP symbol lotus was also etched on it. The minister after spending about 45 minutes said goodbye.
During his stay at the tea stall, Joshi did not ask for support for SAD or BJP for the next Lok Sabha polls in Punjab. Even as the BJP will be contesting the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, he made no mention of it. The name of his party MP Navjot Singh Sidhu also did not crop up during his interaction as the objective, according to the minister, was to project Modi as an able prime ministerial candidate.
{{/usCountry}}During his stay at the tea stall, Joshi did not ask for support for SAD or BJP for the next Lok Sabha polls in Punjab. Even as the BJP will be contesting the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, he made no mention of it. The name of his party MP Navjot Singh Sidhu also did not crop up during his interaction as the objective, according to the minister, was to project Modi as an able prime ministerial candidate.
{{/usCountry}}“I am satisfied with the exercise and hope that it will have the desired effect on those with whom I interacted with. Messages from these 'chopals' will be carried to homes and workplaces,” Joshi said.