BJP to hold programme for rural re-connect across UP

Agra: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to embark on its ‘mission 2017’ for UP assembly elections with the launch of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, with the motto of “Gram uday se Bharat uday tak” (from rising villages to rising India), across 90,000 villages, covering around 57,000 gram panchayats, in the state from April 14.

The 10-day programme is being viewed as an attempt by the BJP to connect with the rural masses, with an eye on the assembly elections. The campaign will commence on April 14, which coincides with Dr B R Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, and will conclude on April 24, which is Panchayati Raj Diwas. As part of the programme, party workers and leaders with rural backgrounds will interact with farmers and tout achievements of the Modi regime.

BJP media in-charge for UP, Manish Shukla said, “Party workers and leaders will visit assigned villages and apprise people of various central government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojna, Pradhan Mantra Krishi Sichai Yojna, soil testing card, horticulture schemes, animal husbandry and fisheries projects, crop cycle and drip irrigation projects.”

Shukla said the majority of farmers are unaware of the central schemes meant for them and the campaign aims to make them aware of the benefits. “Earlier these subsidies never used to reach the beneficiaries but things have changed since the formation of the Modi government,” he said.

During the programme, BJP will also organise Samajik Samrasta Diwas in village slums to strengthen its rural base.

Talking to TOI, Purshotam Khandelwal, president of Brij area for the party said around 5,500 gram panchayats would be covered by them during this campaign. “We will tell the farmers about the benefits of schemes introduced by Prime Minister Modi at chaupals and corner meetings,” he said.

Khandelwal said every BJP worker, including ministers and MPs will participate in the campaign and 10 gram panchayats would be handled by one party worker or leader.


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