We’re ready if Cong calls snap polls: BJP
After questions were raised over leadership dynamics in the BJP and the role of its highest decision-making body — the parliamentary board — in framing poll strategies, the party appeared disinclined on Monday to bestow overwhelming powers on Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, its campaign committee chief. The parliamentary board announced after its meeting here that Mr Modi will have to coordinate not only with party chief Rajnath Singh but other senior board members as well, including Lal Krishna Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi, while formulating poll strategies. These three are considered part of the anti-Modi camp. Anticipating early elections, the BJP said it was “ready” to face the polls, and that good governance and development will be its main poll planks. The party claimed that the UPA was “breaking from within” due to pressure from its allies (an oblique reference to the Samajwadi Party’s opposition to the food security legislation) and could call snap polls as the Congress was in no mood to face Parliament.
With Mr Modi and parliamentary party chief L.K. Advani in attendance, the parliamentary board met on Monday for the second time in four days to discuss poll strategy. It discussed several aspects, including holding 100 rallies across the country in the coming months, preparing the publicity material, manifesto and reaching out upto the booth level.
Briefing the media, party general secretary Ananth Kumar said the BJP felt the Congress was in “crisis” and could go in for snap polls. “PM Manmohan Singh and the Congress leadership have doubts about getting the support of their allies,” he said. He added that “Rajnath Singh and Modi have been authorised by the parliamentary board to set up (other) committees for the elections. This whole structure will be made by them... They will form the committees after consulting all concerned.”
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