‘We’ll Fight 2019 Without Shiv Sena’: Amit Shah to BJP Workers

Shah shared a 23-point plan with party workers in the state, preparing them to work alone in the 2019 elections.

File image of BJP Chief Amit Shah. 

(Photo: IANS)

BJP chief Amit Shah told party workers in Mumbai on 22 July that they should prepare to contest the 2019 elections alone in Maharashtra as there could be “no alliance” with Shiv Sena after they decided to abstain from the no confidence motion in parliament on 20 July.

We should be prepared to fight alone in 2019. You should start preparing now, so that in your booths 51 per cent voters vote for BJP.

Amit Shah, as sources told <i>NDTV</i>

Shah was reportedly annoyed with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, due to their praise for opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha, as well as their refusal to support the BJP in the no-confidence motion, News18 states.

In light of these developments, Shah has reportedly shared a 23-point plan with the party workers in Maharashtra, to prepare in advance to work alone in the 2019 elections.

Shah also instructed the party workers to reactivate the ‘Ek Booth, 25 Youth’ formula – a popular social media strategy of the BJP.

What is BJP’s Game Plan?

Part of Amit Shah’s strategy for the party in next year’s elections includes five party workers to be stationed with motorbikes in every booth. Another point of his plan includes asking supporters to draw a list of temples and their priests, as well as mosques, in every booth, the report adds.

Additionally, the BJP Chief asked the party workers to collect information on its rivals contesting the elections, while propagating government schemes and benefits among the people of Maharashtra.

The BJP is also expected to release a list on the people selected as in-charge of the 48 parliamentary constituencies in the state, NDTV reports.

BJP-Sena Partnership

Tensions between the two parties – BJP and Shiv Sena– have been mounting for a while. Earlier this year, the Shiv Sena had suddenly announced that it would contest the 2019 elections alone.

Back in 2014, both parties had contested the parliamentary elections as allies, even scoring a record tally. However, a few months later, they split and contested in the assembly elections alone, NDTV reports.

Clashes began from then on, with the BJP marking its first time as the single-largest party in Maharashtra, with the Shiv Sena being given a subsidiary role in the post-poll alliance, with 63 assembly seats.

The Shiv Sena has also been more vocal about its criticism of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, especially through its editorial mouthpiece – Saamna.

With the BJP retaliating against the Shiv Sena under Amit Shah’s watchful eye, it stands to see how the party will fare in the most awaited elections in 2019.

(With inputs from News18 and NDTV)