LUCKNOW: UP BJP is all set to give the upcoming Panchayat elections a bigger canvas by releasing the list of candidates supported by it centrally at the state level. The party has been releasing this list earlier also, but that was a very low-key affair and held at local level.
UP BJP vice-president Vijay Bahadur Pathak, who is also in charge for panchayat elections, confirmed that list of candidates would be released for every ward. There are 3,051 wards in 75 Zila Panchayats and 75,855 wards in 826 Kshetra Panchayats (block samitis).
The list will be released from the state headquarters. A senior party functionary said, "List was there in previous elections also but this time it would be released with much fanfare from the party headquarters. Earlier, it was released at the district level."
Voting will be held for president and members of Zila Panchayat, block samitis (kshetra panchayats) and village panchayats.
"Candidates though will not contest on party symbol they will have full backing of the party. Many of them might be the committed workers of the party who have worked to make it a strong organization in rural areas," said a senior party functionary.
There are 58,194 gram panchayats and party, till at least March 10, will hold Gram Chaupals and gram sampark abhiyan to sway voters to its side. "Though candidates for gram pradhans are not being backed, the party is trying to reach out to voters who support the party's ideology to elect pradhans who have worked for the party or supported its ideology," said a party insider.
Panchayat elections for UP have come at an opportune time for the political parties in the state considering that less than a year is left for assembly elections in the state. "Panchayat elections will help us connect with voters and know what more they expect from us and we can work on it," said general secretary, Awadh Prant, UP BJP, Vijay Pratap Singh.
Many of the welfare schemes introduced by the party while being in power at the Centre and at the state have people living in rural areas at the centre of its focus. Riding the wave of confidence, the party is not leaving any stone unturned to stamp its presence in rural areas.
As has been discussed in several of the party's meetings so far to strengthen the 'sangathan', voters in villages are being mobilised in party's favour and party workers, who have sweated it out for it, will be recognised for their efforts so that party could retain its committed workforce.