Lazy netas in BJP keep contestants on the edge

Hyderabad: Several BJP contestants in different Parliamentary constituencies are spending sleepless nights as the lower rung leaders are disinclined to be more proactive in their approach to electioneering.

According to party sources, the BJP nominees are reportedly finding it tough to convince the lower rung leaders and the party cadre to pull up their socks and be aggressive in the ongoing electioneering.

Speaking to The Hans India, a party contestant said, "I have found that there is a good response from the people in several villages during my campaign. But, in some places, the mandal and village level leaders are showing lukewarm response, he said.

Adding to it, generally people assume that many things should be done during elections by distributing money. But nothing works to make them enthusiastic and they are carrying out the whole campaign work in their respective areas in a routine and mechanical manner.

In fact, the supporters who have come along with him are more active than several BJP leaders associated with the party for more than a decade. "I hope that this will change in the next three or four days. Otherwise, probably, I will end up in second or third position, "he said.

Another contestant of the party was baffled when a city level leader asked him to give an assurance that he would try to get party ticket for him in the next State Assembly elections. "Assuming himself as a future MLA from his area, he is imposing restrictions that no one from the party should carry out electioneering in his area without his prior permission," said a BJP senior leader.

Further, the city leader is also not allowing women cadre from the Mahila Morcha, members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and other party affiliated organisations to campaign in his area for the party's official nominee.

Giving more details about the troubles being faced, a senior party leader from Hyderabad said, "it is identified as an important Lok Sabha constituency by the State as well as the national party. But the official candidate is facing several hurdles in garnering the support of each leader at the village, mandal and division level."

Adding to these woes, some are not taking part in the campaigning citing health reasons. But the real reason is that they don not want to extend their support to the party candidates. It is against this backdrop that the contestants themselves are of the view that they may end up in second or third position in five out of 17 Lok Seats, the sources said.