KOLKATA: The BJP in a last-ditch effort to strengthen and overhaul its organisation in faction-ridden West Bengal unit is planning to project actor-turned-politico Rupa Ganguly as its main face in the run-up to the Assembly polls due next year.
During his whirlwind tour here, BJP national president Amit Shah during lunch at a five star hotel personally called up Rupa and made his stand clear vis-à-vis the actor who has been rushing to spots across the state wherever BJP workers had been targeted.
In front of some state BJP leaders, including the party’s state chief Rahul Sinha, Shah told Rupa, “Carry on the way you are agitating against the Trinamool Congress Government. Unmask the TMC Government. We are with you.”
BJP sources said on Thursday that it was a clear indication to the state unit that the saffron party’s central leadership appreciated Rupa’s line of action in confronting the TMC. Though, she does not hold any post in West Bengal BJP, her actions have revved up the BJP’s agitation and boosted the morale of the cadre, while endearing her to the party’s rank and file.
Later, Rupa also met the BJP’s point man for the state, Kailash Vijaibargiya and it fuelled speculation that the BJP central leadership wanted Rupa to lead the party to achieve ‘Mission 2016’, though, she was a greenhorn in politics.
The BJP has recently carried out a secret survey contemplating a change of leadership and found that Rupa ranked number one not only among party workers but also among the people, who were disappointed with the TMC Government and also had no confidence in the Left parties. This was Shah’s fifth visit to the state after the BJP came to power at the Centre.