The BJP’s huge meeting ahead of nine state elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections: Here’s what transpired
During its national executive meeting held on January 16 and 17, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reaffirmed its faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended the term of its national president J P Nadda. Consider what transpired at the two-day meeting held in New Delhi.
BJP outreach
In his speech to party workers, Prime Minister Modi outlined the BJP’s electoral plan for the 2018 elections. He urged party members to reach out to all segments of society, especially marginalised and minority groups, “without electoral concerns.” A source present at the conference reported to The Deccan Era that the prime minister instructed party members to “reach out to Pasmandas, Bohras, Muslim professionals, and educated Muslims” not for votes but “primarily to develop confidence.”
A word of caution
PM Modi also admonished party members against making unwarranted statements against films and celebrities in order to garner headlines. An official of the BJP who was present at the meeting stated, “In his speech yesterday, the Prime Minister admonished individuals who make provocative statements. He advised them to avoid from such conduct.”
Extension for J P Nadda
The national executive of the BJP unanimously extended J P Nadda’s term as party leader until June 2024. The extension was accompanied by a vote of confidence from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who stated that Nadda “turned the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi into a mandate for the BJP” and will guarantee a “stronger mandate in 2024.”
In the coming months, Nadda’s greatest challenge will be to continue the BJP’s winning streak in southern states. Sources within the party acknowledged that Telangana and keeping power in Karnataka would be challenging endeavours.
Nadda, on his part, instructed party members to ensure that the BJP wins all nine upcoming Assembly elections this year.
Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated, “He urged the party to be fully committed to ensuring that the BJP wins all nine states this year in preparation for 2024.” There should be no state loss. “Party workers must tighten their belts if the party is to avoid defeat.”
A new slogan: ‘Governance of saturation’
In its socio-economic resolution voted at the convention, the BJP stated that the policies and activities of the Modi administration have led to “a politics of saturation and governance of saturation” in the country. Explaining the term, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that it signifies “every common citizen, regardless of religion, caste, or location”, receives the advantages of government programmes.
Opposition vs PM Modi
In a separate resolution, the BJP stated that the Supreme Court’s legal response nullified the opposition’s “negative campaign” to “harm the Prime Minister personally.” “The Prime Minister’s intent has been made clear… Nirmala Sitharaman, the finance minister of India, described Prime Minister Modi as an incorruptible leader who serves the country.
On Gujarat and Himachal Assembly elections
The party’s political resolve recognised the BJP’s victory in the Gujarat Assembly elections, when it changed “anti-incumbency into pro-incumbency.” In Gujarat, the majority of seats allocated for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were won by the BJP, according to the report. The resolution further noted that the outcomes will “affect” the future elections.
According to sources, when discussing the BJP’s loss in Himachal Pradesh, Nadda stated that the party had misread the severity of anti-incumbency in the state. According to a source, Nadda stated that the rebels disregarded the party’s objectives.
Regarding BJP’s alliances
Last year, the BJP had difficulties with its allies. The party, though, insisted that none of its old allies had been withdrawn. Ravi Shankar Prasad responded when asked if the BJP would re-align with its former allies, “The BJP has not abandoned any of its allies.” We were abandoned by the Shiromani Akali Dal and Nitish Kumar (of JD-U). Those who shifted political allegiances in search of more favourable conditions will be taught a lesson by the people.”
In four states this year — Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka — the party will face its major foe, Congress. In Telangana, the party hopes to emerge as an alternative to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. The Assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland will also serve as a litmus test for PM Modi’s popularity.
