THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With local body elections drawing closer, the BJP is banking on a new initiative it believes could be a game changer in Kerala politics – ‘Meet the Leader’ help desk. Launched on September 17 at the party’s state headquarters to coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, the initiative aims to bring Union ministers directly in touch with the public every Wednesday.
According to the plan, a Union minister will chair weekly sittings to hear petitions and address grievances. While some questioned the feasibility of such high-level participation, senior BJP leaders maintain it is both practical and necessary.
A few, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted the initiative is aimed not only at strengthening grassroots connections but also at easing controversies, including the row over Union Minister and Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi’s refusal to accept a grievance petition from an elderly man.
“We are confident of holding weekly sittings at the headquarters with Union ministers. When Home Minister Amit Shah himself could attend a ward committee office-bearers’ meeting here in July, there should be no doubts about the feasibility of bringing Union ministers to our initiative. We are certain this will succeed, and ‘Meet the Leader’ will be a game changer in connecting with the people,” a senior BJP leader said.
The party also sees ‘Meet the Leader’ as a strong counter to the state government’s file adalats.
“The chief minister claims every file contains a life, but the petitions piling up at BJP help desks tell a different story. By ensuring Union ministers hear people’s issues directly, we will provide more effective, solution-driven outcomes than the state’s adalats,” another leader said.
Adding further weight to the initiative, the BJP has set aside dedicated days for specific groups, with sittings for defence personnel and their families on the first Thursday of every month and sessions for youth on the second Thursday. These will also focus on issues such as education, skill development, employment, and welfare of youth.
Party leaders believe this targeted outreach will help expand BJP’s support base.
“Neither the UDF nor the LDF can counter such people-centric initiatives. The very petitions that come before us will reveal how effectively, or ineffectively, the state government has dealt with pressing concerns like unemployment,” a senior leader said.
Recently, the party staged a protest march against alleged corruption in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, signalling a more aggressive campaign mode. With the ‘Meet the Leader’ initiative at the centre of its outreach, the BJP expects the programme to reshape public perception and boost its chances in the upcoming polls.