The new BJP

*The new BJP*

A lot has changed in the BJP since 2014.

Thanks to the vast network of committed RSS workers, since the 2014 election victory, Amitbhai Shah has been able to convert Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma into votes, transforming the BJP into a smart, sharp electoral juggernaut. 

Strong enough to win a second term with enhanced seats.

Now it must become a 21st century organisation run on scientific lines, one that can win polls as smoothly as run governments.

Over the past 6 years, five principles underline "BJP Reloaded". 

 Of the 1,650 political parties in India, BJP is the most ideologically driven.

 Prime Minister Modi is leading one of the cleanest governments ever while the UPA had left a scam-ridden system.

 The government’s poverty elimination drive is unparalleled with Jan Dhan, Ujjwala, Mudra, Kisan Samman, Stand-up India and Ayushman Bharat insurance schemes.

 India’s image has been recast internationally.

 The party has still managed to retain its internal democracy, where a booth-level worker can also become party president.

In this new BJP, the leadership leads by example, travelling constantly, listening to party workers in open forums, focusing on ideological rejuvenation, and on the long term. 

It is also a BJP that now wants to concentrate on nation-building rather than merely winning elections.

That the BJP has decided to go beyond elections and become an instrument of mass participation.

The party has also become ruthless in its pursuit of decided goals.

Rabble rousers, mischief mongers and people having nuisance value or a inflated image or ego about themselves have been shown the door.

Yeshwant Sinha, Arun Shourie, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Shatrughan Sinha are national level examples.

Senior leaders, past their prime have been cajoled/convinced to don the mentor's role: MM Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan, Ram Naik, Kalraj Mishra, Anandiben Patel, to name a few.

Free hand is given alongwith backing, to its Chief Ministers to run the show.

A strong message is sent to dissenters that without the party you are nobody.

Under the leadership of Modi ji and Anitbhai Shah, the party has become more confident that it will lead the country to a New India.

The idea is to create a new, more ideologically-driven party members, who are as adept at managing booths and organising rallies as he or she is on social media and TV. This is Modi ji's vision for creating a modern political party geared to winning elections and transforming India in its image.

And in this endeavour, the underlined principal is: 

If you want to accept the party ideology and leadership : you are welcome.

If you don't: you can go - Bheed kum.

@ Dayanand Nene 

.