The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured a remarkable 303 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with nearly 38 percent of the votes, has set an ambitious goal of achieving over 350 seats in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. To realize this objective, the party has embarked on a multi-pronged strategy.
In addition to focusing on constituencies where it traditionally holds strong positions, the BJP is directing its attention towards constituencies held by veteran leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Dimple Yadav (wife of Akhilesh Yadav), and Sharad Pawar, where it has historically struggled to secure victories.
Likewise, the party is targeting regions in South India where its performance was lackluster in the 2019 elections.
The BJP’s Approach to Achieving 350+ Seats:
Last year, the BJP compiled a special list of Lok Sabha constituencies where it faced defeat in the 2019 elections. This list specifically comprises constituencies where the BJP secured the second position or faced narrow margins of loss.
Initially, this list contained 144 constituencies, which was subsequently expanded to 160.
To bolster the party’s presence in these constituencies, the responsibility has been delegated to central ministers and seasoned party leaders, who have been assigned clusters of 2-4 seats each. Additionally, coordinators and co-convenors have been appointed at the state level.
The “Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana” was introduced, deploying central ministers and experienced leaders to these constituencies to fortify the party’s foundation there.
The success of this program rests on the trinity of three general secretaries: Sunil Bansal, Vinod Tawde, and Tarun Chugh.
This week, BJP President J.P. Nadda conducted a review of the progress made thus far, along with the deployment of ministers and leaders. He also provided vital instructions to the cluster in-charge individuals.
It’s important to note that the special focus on these 160 “vulnerable seats” doesn’t mean that the party has shifted its attention from other constituencies. In reality, the party is zealously preparing for all Lok Sabha constituencies nationwide.
A Unique Regional Division Approach:
For the first time in its political history, the BJP has categorized all states and Union Territories into three regions: East, North, and South. This division aims to streamline the management and implementation of micro-level strategies.
The East region encompasses 12 states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Meanwhile, the North Region comprises 14 states and UTs, such as Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, and Daman and Diu-Dadra Nagar Haveli.
With a specific focus on “Mission South India,” the BJP has included 11 states and UTs in the South region: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Notably, the party plans to convene a meeting of leaders from states in the East Region in Guwahati this month.
Meetings for the North and South regions have already been held in Delhi and Hyderabad, respectively.
Strategic Focus on South India:
The BJP’s intense efforts are directed towards five South Indian states—Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. These states collectively contribute 129 Lok Sabha seats, out of which the BJP currently holds only 29 seats—25 in Karnataka and four in Telangana.
Following its setback in the Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP is dedicating special attention to retaining its foothold in Karnataka, while simultaneously striving to expand its presence in Telangana and make inroads into Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The BJP, which secured an independent victory with 303 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, capturing nearly 38 percent of the total votes, has outlined an ambitious target of surpassing 350 seats in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. To achieve this, the party has adopted a multifaceted approach.
In addition to consolidating its presence in its strongholds, the BJP is also turning its focus to constituencies currently held by veteran leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Dimple Yadav (Akhilesh Yadav’s wife), and Sharad Pawar, where historical victories have eluded the party.
Furthermore, the BJP is making a concerted push in South Indian states where its performance was suboptimal during the 2019 elections.
The BJP’s Strategy to Attain Over 350 Seats:
Last year, the BJP compiled a specialized list of Lok Sabha constituencies where it faced defeat in the 2019 elections. This roster primarily encompasses seats where the BJP secured the second position or faced narrow margins of loss.
Initially, this list encompassed 144 constituencies, a number that was subsequently expanded to 160.
To invigorate the party’s presence in these constituencies, the responsibility has been assigned to central ministers and seasoned party leaders, each entrusted with clusters of 2-4 seats. Additionally, coordinators and co-convenors have been appointed at the state level.
Under the “Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana,” central ministers and experienced leaders are being deployed to these constituencies, aiming to fortify the party’s foundation there.
The success of this initiative is overseen by a trio of three general secretaries: Sunil Bansal, Vinod Tawde, and Tarun Chugh.
This week, BJP President J.P. Nadda conducted a comprehensive review of the progress made so far, in conjunction with the deployment of ministers and leaders. He also imparted crucial instructions to those overseeing the designated clusters.
It is important to emphasize that the focused efforts on these “vulnerable seats” do not imply that the party has diverted its attention from other constituencies. In actuality, the party is vigorously preparing for all Lok Sabha constituencies across the nation.
A Novel Regional Division Strategy:
In a first-of-its-kind approach, the BJP has categorized all states and Union Territories into three regions: East, North, and South. This division aims to streamline the management and execution of micro-level strategies.
The East region encompasses 12 states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Simultaneously, the North Region includes 14 states and UTs, such as Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, and Daman and Diu-Dadra Nagar Haveli.
With a specific focus on the “Mission South India,” the BJP has incorporated 11 states and UTs in the South region: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Notably, the party is slated to convene a meeting of leaders from states in the East Region in Guwahati this month.
Meetings for the North and South regions have already been held in Delhi and Hyderabad, respectively.
Strategic Emphasis on South India:
The BJP’s concentrated efforts are directed towards five South Indian states—Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Collectively, these states contribute 129 Lok Sabha seats, of which the BJP currently holds only 29 seats—25 in Karnataka and four in Telangana.
Following its setback in the Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP is devoting special attention to retaining its influence in Karnataka, while concurrently striving to expand its footprint in Telangana and make inroads into Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
