The BJP has asked its leaders and workers to reach out to villages and extend a helping hand to Covid-affected people, an apparent attempt to refurbish the image of the Narendra Modi government that has been mauled by its alleged mishandling of the pandemic and the resultant human cost.

The BJP drive is to mark the second anniversary of the Modi government’s second stint in power on May 30. The ruling party is keenly feeling the need for damage control at a time the government has faced unprecedented criticism from the Opposition and more unsettlingly for it, from common people, for the tragedy. With Covid patients and their relatives struggling for life-saving oxygen, hospital beds, medicines, and vaccines in woefully short supply, anger at the government has only intensified.

BJP chief J.P. Nadda has declared that there would be “no celebration” on the second anniversary. Now in a fresh directive, the BJP has asked ministers, MPs, MLAs and party leaders to visit villages in their areas and connect with the people.

“We plan to reach out to over one lakh villages, distribute food grains, sanitisers, masks and other essential items,” a BJP office-bearer said. The leaders have also been instructed to organise blood donation camps.

Ministers and party leaders have been asked to ensure that they are seen among the people.

Most BJP leaders, including Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, had been missing in action as Covid’s second wave pummelled cities and villages, causing thousands of deaths that clogged crematoriums and graveyards. With the official count of cases slowing, the BJP is preparing to launch an image-correction drive.

The ruling party’s attitude contrasts starkly with that of the Congress, which along with its youth wing, has collected tremendous goodwill at home and abroad for reaching out to people with medical and all other assistance.

Internally, BJP managers have reviewed messages and comments circulating on social media and concluded that the image of the government and the party has taken an enormous beating during the second Covid wave.

“Never in the past have we seen so many negative messages against the government circulating on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter,” a BJP social media watcher said.

To counter the “negative publicity”, the party has started a campaign on Twitter and other social media platforms, stressing how India is valiantly fighting the pandemic under the leadership of Modi.

Since the Opposition attack has been focused on Modi, the BJP’s effort is to hail the leadership of the Prime Minister and slam his rivals for “trying to weaken the fight against Covid-19”.

“The Modi government has been proactively working to provide medical essentials to every Indian. From remdesivir to hospital beds to liquid oxygen, the central government has left no stone unturned to lead India’s battle against the second wave of Covid,” the BJP tweeted with a video on the steps taken by Modi to tackle the pandemic.

BJP leaders are hoping that now that Covid cases are coming down, they will slowly be able to regain the trust of the people.