BJP in Barak Valley upbeat after Modi's visit to State

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Silchar, Jan 20: High hopes have been raised in Barak Valley BJP following the twin rallies addressed by Prime Minister rendra Modi. Both the youth rally at Khapara in Guwahati and the public meeting at Kokrajhar on Tuesday have drawn massive crowd, encouraging and inspiring the leaders and workers of the party in the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. Around 7,000 workers from this valley attended the youth rally. This must have given them the opportunity not only to listen to him but also get inspired to work unitedly for the party.

Kabindra Purkayastha, state vice-president, former union minister and senior most leader, said despite all the adverse propaganda by the opposition including the ally Siva Se and also their vilification campaign, rendra Modi pulling the masses for his meetings ‘is really amazing’. This has also demonstrated the grit, determition and will of the Prime Minister to carry forward the ideology and message of BJP. And, according to Purkayastha, workers must have learnt how to swim even against the current and reach the goal.

 It is true BJP is greatly decimated with only one MLA seat in its bag in this valley, though it has emerged as the main adversary of Congress and AIUDF as well. In the given context, the party leaders will have to chalk out strategy how to increase the tally and set a target to win as many seats in the 15 assembly and 2 parliamentary constituencies of the valley. All out efforts have to be put in to regain the glory of 1991 when the party brought about a saffron resurgence, almost eclipsing Congress.

 It is therefore important that the wave created not only by rendra Modi in Brahmaputra Valley but also by frontline leaders and Union Ministers, Sushma Swaraj and Rajth Singh, who came down to this valley, has to be kept going. For that, the mood and trends have to be properly assessed and the strategy designed to reach the masses. People want change from the 15 years of Tarun Gogoi’s rule and their resentment and disillusionment have to be exploited.

 Both Sushma Swaraj and Rajth Singh have given call for “Congress free Assam” and to work in that direction to the workers. Their oratory hitting out Tarun Gogoi government cannot work on the ground unless leaders and workers throw in their entire phalanx to bolster up the organization from the grass root level. As Sushma Swaraj in her workers meet at Silchar rightly stressed on ‘mass contact programme and door to door campaign’. Besides, she also advised street corner meetings, group meetings, distribution of literature containing the party’s vision for Assam, Barak Valley and the tion.

 Rajth Singh, Union Home Minister, keeping in mind the neglect and discrimition of this valley by Tarun Gogoi government unfolded at a public meeting at Ramkrish gar, close to the border town of Karimganj, how the BJP led government at Dispur if elected to power would change the socio-economic scerio of the people. He talked of ‘Barak Vikash Yoja’ which the NDA Government in Delhi would consider seriously. After all the talks of development and change of governce, the primary responsibility rests with the leaders and workers of the party.

 It is therefore imperative that they have to work in a coordited manner and push forward the agenda for the masses. The election is nearly three months away. It is not a long time and from now on workers have to gird up their lions and prepare for the battle. Though the poll scerio will continue to remain hazy, Modi’s visit has given clear indication of BJP’s tie up with BPF which has been further strengthened by its merger with BPPF. The political game is no doubt unpredictable.

But, as Kabindra Purkayastha has said the party leadership has to adopt cautious approach in the run up to the assembly elections and not to repeat the mistakes of Bihar. The Sangh Parivar in general have also to be cautious not to make statements which might prove dear to the party going to the hustings. Most important, unlike Bihar, local workers have to be left free to decide their election strategy without any interference from the outside band of activists. rendra Modi along with Sushma Swaraj and Rajth Singh have created the ambiance for the battle ahead. Leaders and workers have to capitalize on them.