Amit Shah Means Business; Not Talk

Amit Shah Means Business; Not Talk

Telangana BJP leaders get political lessons, told to go to villages

HYDERABAD: For BJP leaders of Telangana, long used to talking more and doing less, the new party chief, Amit Shah, provided some lessons in doing the business of politics.

The message that went out after Shah’s two-day visit to Hyderabad, his first in South India in the new role, has three elements: party leaders should travel extensively to districts and villages, look for opportunities to attract talent from other parties and put in place a solid organisational structure at the polling booth level.

According to sources, the BJP chief listened patiently as local leaders waxed eloquent, some suggesting that it is time the BJP grew independent of Telugu Desam at least in Telangana.

To one such leader, his pointed question was: “How many days have you travelled to districts in recent months for party work?” In other words, he had conveyed that while nurturing the ambition to strengthen the party was good, it would work only if the required effort is put in by way of connecting with people and on issues they could relate to.

His response on the equation with the Telugu Desam was also on the same lines. “Do not get obsessed with alliance issue. First get your act right.” Read differently, it implies that if the BJP grows independently, the need for an alliance with any party will not exist. And in the event of a partnership still required to be stitched, it would be the BJP which will be calling the shots.

A senior BJP leader summed up the discussion thus: “Ultimately, winning maximum seats has to be the goal for any political party. If we can’t stand on our own, we need crutches. The effort has to be to win on our own instead  of cribbing about having an alliance or not.”

To those who spoke about the need for BJP to target victory in Telangana in 2019, his simple counter was: “you first play the role of Opposition effectively by taking up people’s issues inside and outside the Assembly. The rest will happen.”

Sources said it was made clear to everyone that merely using the media to fire salvos at the ruling TRS or complaining about the TDP will not serve any purpose without being active on the ground and emerging as an alternative. In one sense, it is back to basics for the saffron group in Telangana.

GETTING DOWN TO THE BRASSTACKS

  • The BJP chief has some lessons for his party leaders in doing business of politics here
  • Unveils 3-point agenda; wants party leaders to travel extensively to districts and villages
  • Insists that party leadership put in place a solid organisational structure
  • Stresses on independent growth of BJP so that need for alliance with any party does not arise
  • Main target is to capture power in Telangana in 2019 polls

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com