BJP plans big changes in UP

In an apparent bid to strengthen the party at the grassroots level in Uttar Pradesh (UP) ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the state unit of the BJP is contemplating reorganising zonal committees besides creating new ones and injecting young blood into the fold.

According to sources, the party would be creating two new zones, namely Bundelkhand and Rohilkhand. “The entire state will now be divided into eight zones from the organisational point of view,” said a senior party leader here.

The party has also decided to reorganise the regional committees in an attempt to sharpen the organisation and make it more effective, the leader said. The BJP was planning to downsize the state executive, leading to speculation that many members might be axed from the executive committee in the days to come.

“The size of the executive committee had increased drastically during the former state chief S P Shahi’s tenure. The number of state secretaries had increased to 18,” he pointed out, adding that around a dozen members might be on their way out.

The new state president Luxmi Kant Bajpai has already hinted that the party would be giving preference to youngsters. “The new blue print envisages inducting youngsters who will be given organisational responsibilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP, desperate to increase its tally in UP in the next general elections has been wooing Yadav leaders from the Samajwadi Party (SP) strongholds. The party is trying to rope in Yadav leaders disgruntled over the SP’s failure to adequately compensate them.

The state unit of the BJP is also planning to re-induct Kalyan Singh as strategists feel the presence of the former chief minister will strengthen the party.