In preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has set an ambitious target of ‘Mission 80’ in Uttar Pradesh and to achieve this goal the party has initiated an extensive campaign to motivate its workforce at the booth level.
The heart of the BJP’s organisational structure is the booth, considered the smallest unit of the party. It is here that the BJP is focusing its efforts, with a secret plan for over 1,72,000 booths across UP.
“The party believes that success at the booth level is pivotal to securing victory in elections. Its mantra is that if the booth is won, so is the election,” a senior BJP leader told ‘The Pioneer’ on Monday.
Employing this victory formula, the BJP won elections in 2014 to 2022. However, to address concerns of the party workers who may feel neglected, the BJP has launched its confidential initiative – the ‘booth president dialogue programme’.
Under this programme, senior party officials engage in daily conversations with two booth presidents each morning. This initiative involves a wide range of party leaders, including the state president, general secretary of the organisation, state general secretary, state vice-president, district presidents and other office-bearers.
“While making calls, the senior leaders enquire about the well-being of booth presidents, their families and any issues or grievances they may have. This direct communication between senior officials and booth presidents aims to alleviate any discontent within the party ranks,” the BJP leader said.
Moreover, this initiative will not only energise booth presidents but also provide valuable feedback to the party, which could prove crucial in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections. It also serves as a means of assessing the booth president’s level of engagement and activity.
The selection of which office-bearer communicates with which booth president is not left to chance. The BJP has devised a meticulous system for this purpose. Each morning, the national team sends phone numbers of two booth presidents to each designated office-bearer through SMS. The office-bearers then reach out to these booth presidents, engaging in meaningful conversations and gathering feedback. Subsequently, they submit their reports to the party’s central leadership.
The ‘booth president dialogue programme’ encompasses an extensive array of party leaders, including the state president, general secretary (organisation), seven state general secretaries, 18 state vice-presidents, 16 state secretaries, six regional presidents, 98 district and city presidents and chiefs of seven frontal organisations. Additionally, eight national office-bearers hailing from Uttar Pradesh are also actively participating in this programme.
Uttar Pradesh boasts of over 1,72,000 booths, with the BJP having appointed booth presidents for each of them. The party is also modifying the concept of ‘Panna Pramukh’ as part of its preparations. Currently, approximately 200 party office-bearers are engaging in daily conversations with booth presidents, totaling interactions with 600 booth presidents each day. This number is set to increase soon, with an additional 400 office-bearers joining the ‘booth president dialogue programme’.
“This initiative ensures that the BJP directly connects with around 1,200 booth presidents daily, allowing for comprehensive outreach and engagement. The programme will continue until all booth presidents have been engaged in dialogue, reaffirming the party’s commitment to securing ‘Mission 80’ in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in UP,” the BJP leader said.