Well-oiled BJP war room goes for a swanky corporate look

Nagpur: A balmy air blowing from vertical coolers defies the 40+ degree C temperatures outside. The floor is carpeted and the porch is covered with green and orange shadows cast by the pandal set up in colours of BJP.
The hustle and bustle, which was seen during the 2014 elections, is missing from the newly constructed BJP office at Mangalam Complex in Ganeshpeth. It now bears the swanky look of a corporate-style lobby with huge posters of party leaders and rallies of Nitin Gadkari, BJP’s candidate from Nagpur. “Last time, we were housed at the Model Mill Chawl, this office was inaugurated three years back,” informs Vinayak Dehankar, the effusive karyalay pramukh.

The office is a meeting point for nearly 2,000 people which include the local MLAs, office-bearers and party workers. “They all meet here in the morning to collect campaign material and load the vehicles which go on campaign trail. They gather here once again at night to discuss the day,” says Dehankar.

A small kitchen is set up to provide meals for some 20 people who are working here for long hours. Dehankar is particular about offering tea, coffee and buttermilk to guests, though a person keeps on serving water to all visitors.

The work is divided among all levels of party members. “There are committees in six assembly constituencies headed by MLAs who are the mandal adhyaksh. The work is distributed from their offices. Meetings are being organized with people of different caste groups. There are padyatras and door-to-door contacts and so far we have covered 70% of the electorate in the city and by April 3 we will cover 100% homes,” informs Shrikant Deshpande, campaign coordinator. The entire campaign is being headed by Sudhakarrao Deshmukh, who is the chunav pramukh.

All campaign material focuses on the development works taken up by Gadkari. “The Ram Jhula, which was under construction for 14 years, was fast tracked. The Metro started in record time. Besides, we are also focusing on different schemes launched by the party. Songs too have been composed which focus on Metro and also the works done by Gadkari as minister for surface transport,” informs Chandan Goswami, media coordinator.

The campaign is set to shift gears from April 7. “We have planned rallies on vehicles and nearly 10,000 workers will be in the city who will take up the work of distribution of booth slips to each and every voter,” says Anant Patrikar, a coordinator. Besides the polling slips, letters containing a brief on Gadkari and a folder which will have details of all development work done by the sitting MP will also be distributed.

At the office, a counter has been set up with a computer which provides assistance to voters who want to find their number and booth. “We plan to increase the number of these counters over the next few days,” Goswami informs.