In the first phase of the membership drive, which concluded on September 25, BJP leaders were instructed to each enrol 10,000 new members. However, several MPs and MLAs performed poorly, with many enroling less than 500 members.
Second phase of BJP's membership campaign begins on October 1 and runs until October 15. (PTI photo)
Lucknow,UPDATED: Oct 2, 2024 23:29 IST
The BJP’s membership campaign in Uttar Pradesh has hit a roadblock, with many of the party's MPs and MLAs failing to meet their targets. As the second phase of the campaign begins on October 1 and runs until October 15, the party is grappling with underperformance among its leaders.
In the first phase, which concluded on September 25, BJP leaders were instructed to enrol 10,000 new members each. However, during an internal meeting on Monday, it was disclosed that five MPs and 22 MLAs had performed poorly, with many enroling less than 500 members. State leaders, while withholding names, issued strict orders for these underperforming representatives to meet their targets in the second phase.
According to the report, 15 MLAs have signed up fewer than 500 members, while seven have managed fewer than 1,000. Additionally, 35 MLAs have yet to reach 5,000 members. On the parliamentary side, two MPs have added just over 500 members, while five have enlisted fewer than 1,000.
Despite these challenges, the party has already recruited 1.70 crore members against the target of two crore. District-wise, it was reported that 1.5 lakh members have been enroled across 35 districts, with more than one lakh members recruited in 10 districts.
However, several assembly constituencies still lack even 10,000 members, and many booths have failed to reach the goal of enroling 200 members.
Speaking to India Today, BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma spoke about the campaign's success, noting that despite various challenges, including floods and other commitments, the party has made substantial progress. He expressed confidence that the membership goals would be achieved by October 15, dismissing opposition concerns as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has criticised the BJP’s membership drive.
SP leader Ameeque Jamei accused BJP leaders of being inactive, claiming that there is widespread public discontent with the party. He suggested that the BJP's claims of being the world's largest political party are undermined by its inability to meet membership targets, even through "forceful" tactics.
Published On:
Oct 2, 2024
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