Kerala BJP's 'Mission 100' to flex political muscle in local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP floated the campaign 'Mission 100' to wrest power in 100 gram panchayats in the state in the upcoming local body elections, including 10 municipalities and two corporations. With the BJP leadership at the centre giving more focus on local body elections, model development will be implemented in the panchayats where the BJP is in power in the state.

In the last local body elections, the party got control in 19 panchayats and two municipalities. The saffron party became the main opposition in about twenty panchayats and the Thiruvananthapuram corporation.

This time, the target is to gain control over 100-gram panchayats where the party proved its mettle in the last Lok Sabha elections. The party's vote share has increased significantly in about 300 panchayats, and they came first in almost ten municipalities. Across 20 municipalities in the state, the BJP has increased its vote share.

This time, the party has committees in 18,000 of the 21,000 local wards in the state. Conveners are assigned in about 2,000 wards. 33 district prabharis have been appointed to coordinate the activities in these areas. A digital platform control room will be developed at the state level to evaluate the activities every week. Full-time workers will be appointed to take the helm of the activities at the panchayat level. Under their leadership, a special meeting will be held in more than 20,000 wards in the state by August 10 to prepare a charge sheet against the two fronts.

This time, Independence Day celebrations will be organised in every ward. A Swabhimana rally will be held, and a pledge for a developed Kerala will be taken. Vigorous protests will be launched against corruption in local bodies. Plans are also being pondered over a social media campaign pointing out how the local bodies are criminally neglecting the central government policies, which would have benefited a large number of people.