look news india
The biggest challenge any political party faces after being in power for two or three consecutive terms is the natural fatigue of the voters and the ‘anti-incumbency’ wave growing at the local level. Resentment towards local MLAs, arbitrariness of bureaucracy and unfulfilled promises often spoil the calculations of the ruling party in elections. Sensing this political threat, top strategists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have prepared a new blueprint.
The party has made it clear that along with big national issues, ideology and high-voltage propaganda, the sharpest weapon this time will be—‘Roti, Sadak, Bijli, Pani Model’. The party leadership believes that if 100% satisfaction is achieved on these three basic parameters which directly touch the everyday life of the common voter, then the dissatisfaction against the local MLAs can be neutralized to a great extent.
The central and provincial units of BJP have made preparations to launch this campaign on the ground in coordination with the government and the organization:
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1. Intensive audit of rural and urban roads (Road Connectivity):
The party has directed state governments and the Public Works Department (PWD) to renovate the main highways as well as link roads connecting villages and dilapidated streets of towns on a war footing. To meet the target of pothole free roads within the time frame, local MLAs have been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the quality of the roads themselves.
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2. 24×7 uninterrupted power and end to low-voltage crisis:
Power cuts faced by farmers and general public during summer and sowing season become the biggest election issue. The party’s focus is on replacement of burning transformers within 24 to 48 hours, power supply in rural areas as per fixed roster and reducing electricity bills to zero or minimum by taking solar rooftop (PM Surya Ghar Yojana) to every home.
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3. Accelerating the pace of ‘Har Ghar Jal’ mission:
The target is to start the construction work of pipelines and water tanks being laid under Jal Jeevan Mission completely before the elections. Where roads were dug in the name of laying pipelines, strict instructions have been given to re-pave them immediately, so that the anger among the public due to the negligence of the contractors can be calmed down.
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4. ‘Performance Card’ and ticket distribution of local MLAs:
The party is assessing through an internal survey which MLAs have implemented road, electricity and drinking water schemes in their area and against whom there is deep anger among the public. The anti-incumbency atmosphere will be blunted by giving opportunity to new and spotless faces in areas with heavy anti-incumbency.
Political analysts believe that BJP’s election machinery always works simultaneously on two fronts:
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On one hand, the top leadership has a big canvas of national vision, nationalism and welfare schemes (free ration, housing, Kisan Samman Nidhi).
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On the other hand, ‘micro-governance’ on the ground up to the booth level i.e. whether water is coming from the tap or not, whether the transformer is replaced on time or not and whether the street is paved or not – to give the voters a direct feel of the government’s work around these three questions.
When the voter sees that the pillar outside his house is burning, there is a concrete road till his door and clean drinking water is available regularly, then it becomes very difficult for political parties to create a caste or anti-caste narrative.
In order not to limit this entire scheme to papers only, the party has prepared a schedule of district-wise night stay and surprise inspections of ministers, MPs and senior officials of the organization. Along with fixing the accountability of the government machinery, it is also an attempt to send a message that despite being in power, the party is as active as the opposition and is aware of public problems.