BJP On Way To Have Pan- India Footprint

The BJP is increasingly establishing a nationwide presence. Since 2014, the party has been exerting continuous efforts to become the exclusive ruling party across all Indian states and at the central government, according to sources. 

Strategists are working tirelessly, round the clock, devising strategies to realize this goal. The BJP has made significant progress by promoting the “Congress Vihin” (Congress-Free) slogan,  however, some regional parties remain influential, and the party aims to expand into those territories as well. 

A crucial meeting involving key planners, including B L Santosh and Piyush Goyal, was held to determine the future strategy, sources reveal. Prior to this meeting, Piyush Goyal traveled to Chennai, where he met with G. K. Wason, president of the Tamil Manila Congress, and the son of GK Mupnar, as well as T. T. V. Dhinakaran of the AMMA party. It is believed that Goyal encouraged both leaders to consider merging their respective parties with the BJP to create a formidable challenge to the ruling DMK and also AIADMK and other local factions. 

Dhinakaran reportedly agreed to the merger, while Wason was hesitant, viewing such a move as potentially damaging due to Tamil Nadu’s politics being largely centred around anti-Hindi sentiments, contrasting with the BJP’s support for Hindi at the national level, the source says. Wason may require additional time to deliberate on the proposal. 

Additionally, top BJP officials are reportedly frustrated with the demands of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, but refrain from confrontation due to his support for the central government. The BJP is nonetheless seeking to secure its own majority to simplify governance and avoid political instability source says. To strengthen its presence in Andhra Pradesh, the BJP is actively courting Pawan Kalyan, leader of the Pawan Jan Sena and the current Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. 

Sources indicate that Kalyan is being encouraged to merge his party with the BJP and become its primary face in the upcoming elections source adds. This strategy poses a significant challenge to both the TDP and Jagan Mohan Reddy in the state. Moreover, strategists have assured Kalyan that financial support will not be an obstacle in establishing the BJP’s foothold in Andhra Pradesh source says.