New Delhi: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has decided to have spokespersons at the panchayat level — a first for any political party.
Between 10 and 11 am, and 5 and 6 pm every day, the panchayat-level spokespersons will visit villages and spread awareness about the work being done by the Narendra Modi-led government. The spokespersons will also convey to the party any grievances the villagers may have.
The BJP has been conducting media workshops across the country to ensure greater connect between the party and the voters. As part of the workshop, the spokespersons are being trained to highlight the Modi government’s work and ensure greater penetration.
“For the first time, we are ensuring the presence of our spokespersons at the panchayat level itself so that they can highlight the work done by the Modi government in villages too,” said BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok.
One of the media workshops concluded in Bihar Wednesday and another one will take place Saturday. Each of these workshops is attended by state spokespersons, district spokespersons, spokespersons of the morcha, the chief minister, the state party president. In a non-BJP state, a Union minister will also participate.
During the workshops, spokespersons at the state, district and panchayat levels are being asked to focus on the welfare schemes of the Modi government, highlight “significant issues” such as the abrogation of Article 370, the role the BJP and the central government has played in the construction of the Ram temple, women’s empowerment among others.
“There is a long list of work undertaken by the Modi government but we are telling the spokespersons at all levels to at least know five main achievements at their fingertips so that they seem confident while talking about it on TV channels or discussing it with people. We are also telling them not to engage unnecessarily with the spokespersons of opposition parties. The more they (opposition spokespersons) react, the more it will benefit us,” a BJP leader told ThePrint, not wanting to be named.
Another senior BJP leader said that the idea is to ensure all spokespersons are on the same page as the government and the party, and this will ensure that they are able to “attack” the Opposition in a better manner.
During the workshops, discussions are also held on the overall media strategy. “During the Lok Sabha elections, the focus is on national issues. But at the same time, even at the state level our governments have been doing wonderful work and in such states our spokespersons will highlight those works too,” the BJP leader added.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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