JUNE 12- Undeterred by the resignation of L.K. Advani from all forum of the BJP, Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP Election Campaign Committee chairman Narendra Modi has started his job in Uttar Pradesh, where he has to go through a litmus test in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
He has assigned Amit Shah, his close confident and party in-charge of UP to start his foray in the state from June 12 and take stock of the situation including the mood of the local BJP leaders before his possible visit next month.
If insiders were believed, Modi wants the party leadership in the state to introduce him as the “successor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee” when he visits Lucknow.
It is with this mission that Shah is on a two-day tour of the state to meet all the senior party leaders including Lucknow MP Lalji Tandon and Kalraj Mishra. He will also meet former CM Kalyan Singh. The entire exercise is meant for understanding what would be the impact in the Lok Sabha elections if Modi contests from Lucknow seat, which was represented by former Prime Minister Vajpayee four times before Tandon contested and won in 2009.
“Since there is a hitch in the party over officially declaring Modi as PM candidate because of the opposition of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he and his team are looking for a way out. In the given situation, he can be fielded from Lucknow and declared a successor of Vajpayee. In this case, there will not be any dispute in the NDA and the party will also be able to send a message across”, a senior BJP leader told this newspaper.
It is true that the actual challenge for Modi is in UP which has 80 Lok Sabha seats. But he is in advantageous situation because of his image not only as a face of Hindutva but also of pro-development. His backward caste background may also help the BJP in winning non-Yadav votes in the state. It is believed that the Yadavs stick with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in any situation.
When asked, Kalyan Singh said while there was Modi wave all over the country, its intensity was highest in UP.
“I have talked to Modi on phone. He has told me to work in close coordination with him. He has also asked Shah to hold a meeting with me and decide many issues, which I don’t want to disclose at the moment. I must say that the Modi wave in UP reminds me of Ram temple movement days when entire state was rallying behind us”, he said.
“We welcome Modi to contest from Lucknow. He symbolises youthfulness, unity and development. We all would be happy if it happens”, said Tandon.
