New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on ‘Brand Yogi’ to complement ‘Brand Modi’ in the run-up to the 5 February Delhi assembly elections.
According to Delhi BJP leaders, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to address around 15 rallies during the campaign, the most by any party leader from outside the national capital.
“There are 14 districts and the idea is to ensure he covers constituencies in each of them. There is a huge demand for his rallies, and after due deliberation, it has been decided that he will address around 15. This is what the state unit has proposed,” a senior BJP leader told ThePrint.
Starting from 23 January, the party will strategically hold rallies and public programmes across the capital including in Dwarka, Patel Nagar, Bijwasan, Shahdara, and Palam.
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The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998 and sees this election as a big opportunity to get back on the saddle after it was beaten squarely by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the last two polls. The BJP bagged 49 out of 70 seats in 1993 when senior party leader Madan Lal Khurana became chief minister. The party has not declared a chief ministerial candidate this time and is contesting the elections under a collective leadership.
“There is a significant population from Uttar Pradesh in Delhi and Yogi’s rallies will definitely have an impact on voters. The UP CM is a brand and his model of governance is much talked about. His programmes will give a boost to our campaign,” said another leader. The state unit is busy finalising his schedule, and giving a final shape to the campaign.
Apart from Yogi, PM Narendra Modi is likely to address three rallies, in east and northeast Delhi. “The venues are still being decided, but the manner in which it will be done will take care of a number of constituencies,” said another leader.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold eight public rallies, including roadshows. “The areas are still being finalised,” added the leader.
Apart from Yogi, Modi and Amit Shah, Union minister and party president J.P. Nadda is also likely to hold 10 to 12 public events to garner support for BJP candidates.
The party will see chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, Union ministers and MPs conducting programmes in different regions of the national capital. “The schedule of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and other senior party leaders is being worked out. With elections due on 5 February, our full-fledged campaign will get a boost after 26b January,” the leader added.
According to sources, the BJP has also formed a special team of 27 leaders including Union ministers Bhupendra Yadav, Anurag Thakur, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who will each manage two seats for the next 15 days. The party’s special focus is on 54 seats of the 70-seat assembly.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also read: BJP hasn’t won these Delhi seats since 1993. How it plans to break the jinx this time
