Scan on bypoll defeats in Rajasthan: BJP to strengthen booth committees

Wrong selection of workers for booth-level committees was a probable reason for the BJP’s defeat of in the bypolls held for Alwar and Ajmer Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh assembly constituency, a senior party leader said on anonymity.

Booth-level workers play a key role since they mobilise voters at the ground level, said the leader who was part of the brainstorming sessions conducted by the state BJP.

“After assessing all factors and holding discussions, it is found that the booth committees had lacunas; the committees need to be strengthened and for the same we are verifying all 51227 booths by the end of this month,” he said.

On the directions of national BJP chief Amit Shah, a booth, instead of a ward, was made the last unit on the ground around one and a half years ago. “The booth committees were inactive to a great extent,” the leader said.

Earlier ward was the last unit, which comprised 21 members; now booth committees were formed with 18 members each. The bypolls were first to witness mobilisation under the new experiment; there were loopholes, which are being removed, he said.

“During the verification, it would be seen how many times the members of the committee visited polling booths, contacted voters, and informed seniors about the voting status. The verification report will be submitted to organisation general secretary Chandrashekhar,” he added.

One ward covered around 3000 houses and now one booth encompasses 200 families, which will help in a better reach to voters for a booth chief and workers, he said.

Addressing newspersons after a recent workshop, outgoing state BJP chief Ashok Parnami said, “Booths constituted will be verified. Workers will visit the booths and gather feedback on the situation. One prominent worker will carry out verification of booths at five mandals.”