The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not ruling out early general elections, as the ruling Congress has hit the campaign trail by taking the ordinance route to implement its prestigious food security programme.
A meeting of BJP’s high-profile Parliamentary Board held here on Thursday decided to expedite the process to finalise its campaign strategy.
With the Congress taking an upper hand by targeting BJP’s campaign head, Narendra Modi, and announcing the implementation of the food security programme, the BJP leadership wants to change its election strategy. After an inconclusive meeting on Thursday, the leadership decided to meet again on Monday.
“New developments are happening on a day-to-day basis. We do not rule out early elections. This is why we decided to meet again on Monday,” a senior party leader told
Campaign strategy
After the meeting of the Parliamentary Board, the campaign committee of the party met.
The committee, chaired by Modi, has decided to bring out a ‘vision document’ in August. Another senior leader said campaign strategies for all sections of the society are being framed by the leadership.
“By the next meeting, we will formulate a strategy for campaign among workers, women, students, consumers and in social networking Web sites,” the leader added.
Session in August
Briefing reporters after the meeting, party General Secretary Ananth Kumar said it could be assumed from the Congress’s decision to bring out an ordinance on the Food Bill that it was a strategy to hold early elections.
“There is a hidden agenda behind the Congress’ hurry. They might be thinking that even their supporters will not help them pass the Bill (in Parliament),” he added.
Meanwhile, the Government has reportedly decided to postpone the Monsoon session of Parliament, which is usually held in the third or fourth week of July. “The session is likely to start on August 8,” a Minister told Business Line .
The Congress is confident of effectively “selling” the Food Bill to the voters. The party is planning a house-to-house campaign on the “qualities” of the Bill.
The Congress considers the legislation as the most important decision of the UPA-II, the Minister added.