In an innovative democratic exercise, India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) embarked on an extensive outreach program yesterday to gather public opinions and suggestions. The campaign, aimed at drafting its manifesto for the upcoming Chhattisgarh assembly elections, signals a shift in the party’s strategy, highlighting its commitment to open dialogue and citizen engagement. At the heart of this drive is the newly constituted ‘Ghoshna Patra Samiti’, a 31-member poll manifesto committee, spearheaded by party MP Vijay Baghel. This committee seeks to bridge the gap between the party and the people through various means of communication.
“We have released a WhatsApp number and an email ID through which people can share their suggestions and the kind of development they want for the state,” Baghel explained. The intention is to compile these suggestions and subsequently present them to the senior leaders to inform the drafting of the election manifesto.
State BJP chief Arun Sao has described the initiative as reflective of the party’s desire to align the state’s developmental path with the dreams and aspirations of its citizens.
This comes as a necessary shift after the party’s 15-year reign (2003-2018) under Raman Singh was disrupted by a surprising defeat at the hands of Congress in the 2018 elections, which led to the appointment of Bhupesh Baghel as the chief minister.
The BJP, which currently holds 13 seats in the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly as opposed to the Congress’ 71, is keen on making a comeback. Whether this public consultation approach will bear fruit and help the party regain its lost territory in the Chhattisgarh assembly will be revealed as the year unfolds.
