Local body elections: BJP focuses on grassroots work

THRISSUR: After the BJP's strategy worked in Thrissur during the last Lok Sabha elections, the party is now focusing on strengthening its activities for the upcoming local body polls. The aim is to win control in as many local bodies as possible and secure the maximum number of seats.

Along with workshops, the party plans to intensify its grassroots work. Even though the voters’ list issue is still being debated, the BJP has also stepped in to help include more people in the local election rolls. At the programme attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Kochi the other day, and at the state-level workshop held in Thrissur yesterday, discussions mainly focused on the upcoming local body elections. So far, the party has conducted meetings in around 20,000 wards across the state.

Meanwhile, the absence of K. Surendran at yesterday’s workshop drew attention. The state president explained that it is not necessary for everyone to attend every event. However, it was Surendran who had led the party to its best performance in the last Lok Sabha elections. Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi was also absent. The workshop was led by senior leaders, including Prakash Javadekar, Aparajita Sarangi, State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, P.K. Krishnadas, A.P. Abdullakkutty, M.T. Ramesh, Sobha Surendran, S. Suresh, and Anoop Antony.