Former Deputy CM R. Ashok and city legislators of BJP got the stick from Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday for their lackadaisical attitude which resulted in a poor turnout at 'Parivarthana Rally' inaugurated by party president Amit Shah in the city on November 2.
Mr Javadekar, who met party leaders, particularly of the city unit, at the behest of an irked Mr Shah, listened to how lack of coordination and assigning responsibility to 100 BJP corporators, resulted in a flop show on November 2. The central leader reportedly remarked that leaders, including legislators, were more keen on trying to impress central leaders rather than work on mobilization of an impressive number of party cadre and a sizeable audience. Besides, activists of RSS did not show up in good numbers at the rally because they were miffed with state unit leaders of BJP.
Sources in the state unit of BJP told Deccan Chronicle that lack of coordination appeared the most common explanation from city MLAs for the poor turnout at the event. Sources said the leaders felt that the cadre were disappointed at not being allowed access to an area near the dais. Besides, they had to stand in scorching sun due to lack of a temporary structure to host devotees from across the country. With the cadre not allowed access to an area close to the dais but forced to stand under scorching sun far away from the venue of the public meeting.
The turnout would have improved significantly if the local office bearers took pains to erect a temporary structure and good seating arrangement, sources added. The cadre had no choice but to move to places under the shadow of trees at some distance from the dais. The responsibility of gathering a significant number of the cadre and supporters of BJP ought to be given to 100 corporators as the BJP emerged the single largest party in BBMP. At this juncture, Mr Javadekar pulled up Mr Ashok and the city legislators for their lack of enthusiasm, sources added.
