BJP sounds alarm over public discontent, asks MPs and cadre to step up outreach

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has asked its organisational machinery and elected representatives to step up engagement with people as criticism grows over issues including examination and employment concerns, rising food prices and higher transport and energy costs.

The message was delivered soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a lengthy meeting with the party's newly appointed office bearers on Saturday. The four-hour interaction focused on strengthening the organisation and reconnecting with voters at the grassroots level.

Modi stresses need for fresh approach

According to people familiar with the discussions, Modi spoke about growing public restlessness and urged the new team to respond with fresh ideas.

“He said contemporary problems require newer ways of finding solutions…the new team will have to work with newer ideas…” said a person privy to the details, reported Hindustan Times.

The Prime Minister also spoke about his own organisational experience and offered suggestions on addressing public concerns and building stronger connections with voters.

“He shared his own experiences of how he worked his way up in the organisation, gave tips on how to address the concerns of the people, and forge a deeper connection with them,” the person said.

BJP concerned over grassroots connect

The leadership's focus on outreach comes as the party prepares for elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, while Opposition parties have increased their political activity.

The Congress has launched a nationwide youth-focused campaign led by Rahul Gandhi, while the Samajwadi Party has made the donation controversy in Ayodhya a key issue. The Aam Aadmi Party has also launched the “School Theek Karo Abhiyaan” (Fix the Schools Campaign) in Uttar Pradesh, led by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

The BJP leadership has also been urged to address concerns about complacency within the organisation after successive electoral victories.

“There seems to be a perception that after winning consecutive elections, a sense of complacency and even hubris may have crept in…this has been conveyed to the top brass by RSS. The internal assessment process had also flagged that elected representatives were spending fewer days in their constituencies,” said a second party leader.

MPs told to spend more time with voters

Party leaders said MPs and legislators, apart from ministers, are expected to devote time to their constituencies, monitor local work and follow up on government policies.

“There are groups of MPs headed by a minister who meet regularly to focus on particular issues in states, but of late these have become a calendar event…” said the second leader.