Laying out the priorities after taking charge as chief of the Chhattisgarh BJP, former Union Minister Vishnudeo Sai said on Saturday that prohibition on liquor prohibition is the top priority "while issues of farmers will always remain close to the heart".
Addressing the media after taking charge at BJP Divisional headquarters Ekatma Parisar, Sai said that BJP leaders and workers in the state are organizing a three-phase public contact programme.
The first,‘Jansampark’, will target 25 lakh houses. It would also be a part of the ‘Swadeshi’ movement urging people to procure only products made in the country.
The second will be digital contact in which people will be told about the achievements of the Modi 2.0 government.
The third will be a virtual rally with the participation of around 30,000 party leaders and workers. It will be addressed by national leaders also. Around 200 such rallies will be organized in the state, Sai said.
Asked about internal challenges within the party after it lost the assembly elections, Sai said: “It is a challenging task because the earlier President of the ruling party is now in the opposition."
He said the BJP was a disciplined party and all decisions were taken on consensus, involving both senior and junior leaders. "There are no groups in the party.”
Sai said the BJP lost assembly battle due to 15 years of rule and anti-incumbency including the alluring election manifesto of the Congress party which swayed the electorate. The people then thought of a change, he said.
“But if today the assembly election is held, then BJP will return to power after just 18 months. People of the state have realized the non-fulfillment of promises made. Even the loan waiver of farmers was extended to cooperative banks but not public sector banks.”
He added: “BJP will regain power in the 2023 assembly election. There are a host of issues against the state government but Covid-19 has put a spanner on street agitations. Once the curbs are lifted, demonstrations will commence.”