The BJP'sspectacular success in forming its first government in south India, along with its earlier successes in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Bihar, has spotlighted how the political map of India has radically changed since 2004. The Congress party has lost power in state after state. Now, the time has come for it to lose power at the Centre.
Before we rout the Congress at the Centre, we have to ensure that it tastes defeat in the states that are scheduled to elect their new assemblies in November this year. We have incumbent governments in three of them?Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Delhi is another state which will elect a new Vidhan Sabha at the same time.
All of us are well aware of the importance of these electoral battles. The BJP is in a good position to win renewed mandates in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, thanks to the good performance of their respective Chief Ministers?Smt. Vasundhara Raje, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Dr. Raman Singh. We also have an opportunity to wrest power back in Delhi, where ten years of Congress rule have created an intense desire among the people to see BJP back in the saddle.
Five Tasks Before The Party
A failed and discredited Government?also the most corrupt government in New Delhi since Independence?has provided plenty of reasons to be voted out. But the BJP must not be found wanting. This entails five main tasks for our party organisation.
First, the entire party, from top to bottom, must immediately come into a ?must-win? mode, with unity in thought, unity in strategy and unity in action.
Second, the BJP has to take the lead in strengthening the NDA?and also expanding it in the coming days. It is the need of the hour, especially in those states where the BJP is yet to grow into a formidable force. Sound alliance politics requires a proper mindset, which is sometimes lacking. Let us remember that the BJP'sfront-runner position in the coming Parliamentary elections will be greatly stren-gthened by our alliance-building capabilities.
Third, no other party in India has as many leaders who, as individuals, are admired for their talent and expertise. What our karyakartas and the people at large would like to see is ?team effort?, which will multiply the effect of our leaders? individual talents. Our conduct must reflect what party workers and party supporters expect of us.
Here I must be frank in saying that I am deeply upset by the tendency exhibited by some people to speak out of turn and even make public statements about prospective alliances and other aspects of our election strategy. Does this happen in any other party? These and other negative trends that give rise to the perception of disunity in the party must be firmly curbed. Internal democracy in the BJP is our strength. It should not be allowed to become a handicap.
Fourth, people place their faith in that opposition party which not only highlights the government'sfailures, but also presents its own positive agenda showing how it proposes to tackle the issues on which it is criticising the government. The BJP shall soon prepare an inspiring and comprehensive agenda for good governance, development and security. I invite thinking people all across the country to contribute their ideas and suggestions to this effort.
Fifth, I am happy that the party has already embarked upon a major activity to reach out to young first-time voters, who will form a decisive segment of the electorate. This activity should be further intensified.
