The BJP has decided to play the Vajpayee card in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls after realising that factional fights and lack of unanimity on the leadership issue could mar its prospects in this crucial electoral battle.
The party is likely to launch its election campaign in the state on December 25, which is the birthday of its patriarch and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
It could be mentioned that Uttar Pradesh has always been important for the BJP, which took the party to the power at the centre.
The party is optimistic that it can gain upper caste vote by invoking Mr Vajpayee.
There are also talks of issuing an appeal on Mr Vajpayee’s behalf to voters to elect BJP which has “no room for corrupt or criminals.” Assembly polls in the state are scheduled for next year.
Sources disclosed BJP wants to use Mr Vajpayee’s goodwill to attract voters in the state, where the party is desperate to increase its number.
Party’s internal surveys have shown that Mr Vajpayee is still considered as the “tallest” leader and also the “towering brahim face” of the BJP in the state
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Congress says arvind letter insult to PMO
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Nov. 3
Reacting sharply to Arvind Kejriwal’s letter along with a cheque to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress on Thursday described it as “insulting” to the top office and said the former revenue officer should have written to his immediate senior officer on this issue.
“Kejriwal writing his letter to Prime Minister is insulting the office of the Prime Minister. I don’t know what designation Kejriwal held when he was in service. He should have written to his immediate superior officer in government, who would have been the competent authority to take note of it,” party spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters here.
Returning over `9 lakh in dues to settle the issue of his resignation from the IRS, Mr Kejriwal had sent a cheque of `9,27,787 along with a letter to the PM.
Mr Alvi also took a jibe at former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, saying that tomorrow she may also write to the PM after returning the excess amount she has taken from the NGOs.