BENGALURU: BJP national president Amit Shah was blunt and firm on putting an end to the rift within the party and its leaders to strengthen their grassroots connect to realise the party’s ‘Mission 150’ in the 2018 Assembly election.
There would be no compromise on the two issues ahead of the Assembly election, Shah is said to have made it clear at his meeting with state BJP office-bearers and legislators on the first day of his three-day visit.
Shah reiterated the party’s stand that the election would be fought under the leadership of BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa. He exhorted the party rank and file to bury their differences and fight unitedly to bring the party back to power in 2018.
He called upon the party workers to fight under the battle cry Ab Ki Baar BJP Sarkar. “When Prime Minister Modi’s Vijay Rath reaches Karnataka in February or March ahead of the Assembly election, party workers should be ready with their quest to ensure victory in Karnataka,” he said.
‘I will provide pens, make notes’
The issue of strengthening the grassroots connect and booth committees figured prominently at the meeting with BJP legislators. Shah, who prefers to be meticulous in his work, gave a gentle jolt to the gathering as they were listening quietly. “You have come without even a pen in your pocket. It’s ok I will provide them,” Shah reportedly told the members, indirectly asking them to make a note of the points being discussed.
KSE group wants to air grievances
Even as Amit Shah sent a strong message against infighting within the party, the dissident group, led by senior leader
K S Eshwarappa, is said to have sought a separate meeting with Shah to convey their ‘grievances’. The group is said to have decided to meet again on August 15 if Shah declines to redress their grievances
against Yeddyurappa’s alleged unilateral style of functioning.