Bengal unit of BJP activates rank and file to observe birth anniversary of Swamiji

The Bengal unit of the BJP on Friday activated its rank and file to observe the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at each of the 77,000-odd polling booths across the state, an attempt by the party to use the occasion to connect with the people of Bengal in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

Although the BJP failed to touch all the booths in the state because of its organisational lapses, its leaders believed that they reached out to "at least 60 per cent" of its targeted area this time.

"Unlike last few years, this time there was a clear instruction to party leaders from across the state to ensure at least one event at each polling booth in their district. Though it was not a political event, we consider the effort successful for the party as we covered at least 60 per cent of booths in the state with this 'apolitical' programme," said a senior BJP leader in Calcutta.

A source in the BJP said the party's special drive to celebrate Vivekananda's birth anniversary at the grassroots was important at a time when the ruling Trinamul Congress has traditionally targeted the saffron camp's "disconnect" with Bengal's culture and cultural clans.

Observing Vivekananda's birth anniversary has always been vital in the political calendar of the saffron ecosystem. However, in the case of Bengal, its activities were so far limited to Calcutta, district headquarters and pockets where the party had organisational strength.

This time, in districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan and Hooghly, the BJP took out colourful processions, distributed fruits at hospitals and warm clothes in slums as part of its celebrations apart from organising small street corner meetings to speak to people about the 19th century philosopher's contribution.

A BJP leader said: "This time, we instructed our senior leaders in districts to ask local party presidents in gram panchayats or booths to lead the events as they can directly connect with voters. Usually, junior leaders or party functionaries in the gram panchayat level do not get a chance to deliver a speech at political meetings or events. But on this occasion, grassroots leaders took the lead."

Subir Nag, a state executive committee member in charge of the Howrah district, lauded party workers for successfully organising the event. "We focused on small-scale events at each booth besides the usual rallies in district headquarters. Various social activities helped us connect with people. The participation of our workers was significant this time," said Nag.

BJP state chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya claimed the party was taking all measures to ensure it bagged 35 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal, a target set by Union home minister Amit Shah.

"We had a target of winning 22 seats in 2019 and we were able to get 18. Now the target is 35 seats and we want to set all things right to achieve the milestone," he added when asked about this year's massive mass-connect drive on January 12 by his party.

Bengal's ruling Trinamul leadership had made it mandatory to celebrate January 12 as Vivekananda's birth anniversary since the party came to power in 2011. This year, party state president Subrata Bakshi issued instructions to celebrate the occasion in each block in the state.

Trinamul leaders dubbed the saffron camp's events a failed effort to connect with Bengal's populace on Vivekananda's birth anniversary.

"It wasn't long back when BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar insulted Swami Vivekananda," said Tanmoy Ghosh, a Trinamul state general secretary and a spokesperson, referring to the verbal duel between Bengal minister and Trinamul MLA Udayan Guha and Majumdar over the philosopher's comments on football following the saffron ecosystem's mass Gita recital event in Calcutta last month. "Let them try to do whatever they want, but they can't win the hearts of Bengal's people by observing Swamiji's birth anniversary."