Rajasthan BJP reaches out to masses through cricket matches

In Rajasthan, BJP MLAs and MPs are conducting cricket matches to promote government schemes. But there is one condition: only those who declare allegiance to the party ideology in writing are allowed to play. This clause has not gone down well with many.

On Monday, the party will hold its first match in Malviya Nagar Jaipur (Urban) constituency. But many cricket enthusiasts are disappointed because entry has been restricted to BJP supporters.

Deen Dayal Kumawat, BJP district unit chief, Jaipur (Rural), told DH, "The idea is to connect people with welfare schemes through cricket. Matches are taking place in the districts of Jaipur, Sikar, Udaipur and Ajmer.” But the party restricted entry to BJP supporters in Malviya Nagar, where 170 cricket teams have been formed with members from 195 polling booths.

Education Minister Kali Charan Saraf, who represents the constituency, told DH, "This is the first time we have introduced the party ideology clause because the idea is to involve more BJP workers."

Rubbishing Saraf’s claims, Hemant Pandey, president, Malviya Nagar Cricket Club said, "The idea was to popularise schemes among the masses, but now they are forcing people to accept the BJP ideology if they want to be part of a team.”

The Congress accused the BJP of ‘saffronising the state’. The BJP is dividing supporters and non-supporters based on the party’s ideology, it said.