RSS asks BJP to change candidates in 20 Lok Sabha seats

BHOPAL: Even as the BJP national executive on Friday announced to publicise policies of Modi-led NDA government as part of its strategy ahead of Lok Sabha elections, RSS is learnt to have asked saffron group outfits to sharpen their attacks on Congress state governments on issues related to farmers, youth and women.
Alarmed over the results in recently-concluded assembly polls, the Sangh Parivar held separate meetings with top leaders to chalk out a strategy to galvanise party workers up to booth level and launch voter connect programme in urban and rural areas.
Of 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state, BJP had won 26 in 2014 due to Modi wave, while Congress had won three seats in party’s bastion of Guna-Shivpuri (Jyotiraditya Scindia), Chhindwara (Kamal Nath) and Jhabua-Ratlam (Kantilal Bhuria).
"In Madhya Pradesh, the Sangh Parivar had suggested major changes in ticket distribution after an intensive feedback on performance of BJP MLAs. Ignoring recommendations cost the party dear in assembly polls. Now, the RSS has suggested to intensify voters' reach programme in all Lok Sabha constituencies," said a senior RSS functionary.
Sources disclosed that the Sangh Parivar has suggested to change candidates on more than 20 seats in the state in order to counter anti-incumbency and negative feedback against MPs. "The RSS has again suggested changes in candidates. RSS functionaries are concerned over negative impact of BJP schemes and poor connect of MPs in several districts during the last five years. RSS leaders fear if changes are not made in Lok Sabha candidates, the party will face reverses," said sources in BJP.
Madhya bharat head of RSS also held separate meetings with senior party leaders, including former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former minister Narottam Mishra regarding distribution of organisational works. It is expected RSS would suggest some changes in the state organisation ahead of parliamentary elections. "Almost all senior leaders have been asked to gear up for an intense battle to retain all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. The party has also asked leaders to plan a strategy to attack the Congress government ahead of assembly polls. Changes are likely in the state organisation as several leaders have been asked to get ready to contest the election," said sources in the BJP.
Major changes have been suggested in Lok Sabha constituencies where complaints of poor performance or negligence in implementation of the schemes have been reported since last one year. The party is working on a fresh strategy in constituencies like Morena, Gwalior, Sagar, Vidisha, Jabalpur, Damoh, Satna, Khajuraho, Tikamgarh, Indore, Mandla and Khandwa. Prominent leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Narendra Singh Tomar, Rakesh Singh, Prahlad Patel, Virendra Kumar, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Sumitra Mahajan and Nandkumar Singh Chauhan have been asked to plan intensive campaign in districts from where Congress has nominated ministers in the Kamal Nath cabinet.
"BJP is ready to win all 29 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. The party is ready with the schemes launched by Modi government and also taking advise of all saffron groups to win elections," said BJP state spokesperson Deepak Vijayavargiya.
In a meeting at BJP state chief Rakesh Singh’s official residence in New Delhi on Friday, the party also discussed strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The meeting was attended by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Gopal Bhargava, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe among others to plan a publicity campaign from February with the help of party's youth wing.