New Delhi: While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh intend to push “development” as the main plank for the forthcoming UP Assembly polls, the party cadre is apparently rooting for “Hindutva”. Sources said that reports pouring in from the state indicate that a large chunk of the party cadre feels that Hindutva blended with nationalism should be the main issue.
The BJP’s complete focus will now be on UP as ground reports at this juncture project a grim picture, indicating that the BJP might not even touch 100 seats.
The UP Assembly has 403 seats. A debate is also raging within the party over the projection of a chief ministerial candidate. While a large section in the BJP has begun rooting for the saffron young turk Varun Gandhi to be the face of the party, another influential section is opposing it.
Those supporting Mr Gandhi’s projection are trying to “put across the message” that this will not only blunt the Congress’ attempts to “sell” party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, but will also counter the Samajwadi Party’s young face, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Mr Gandhi reportedly met senior party leaders to discuss the UP scenario on Tuesday night. Those favouring the hardline approach are opposing Mr Varun Gandhi’s projection because they feel he has been taking a secular and left-of-centre line.
