For the past week or so, BJP workers in Thane have been going door to door to seek support from people to make Narendra Modi the country's next prime minister
And what better way to seal that support than legal tender? So alongside asking people for their vote, they are also asking them for a note, of any denomination, so funds could be collected for the prime ministerial candidate’s canvassing.
Modi was given funds worth Rs 25 crore at his Maha Garjana Rally in Mumbai. Representation Pic
ADVERTISEMENT
The ambitious drive, called One Note One Vote, is being conducted in a surprisingly covert manner. According to an office-bearer of the party, the BJP workers appeal to citizens for a currency note they are willing to donate, and appeal them to vote for the party and Modi.
Party sources said that the state unit decided to launch the drive without much fanfare, unlike its other campaigns, to check a negative response from the public. “After Rs 25 crore was collected for Modi the amount which was handed over to him during his Maha Garjana Rally in Mumbai there could have been a reaction to such a drive,” argued a party leader. So they are keeping this resourceful fundraiser’s timbre low.
Stealth wealth
Nonetheless, the surreptitious mode is costing the saffron party in terms of favourability in the public eye. Hardly any encouraging response has come in. Rather, the BJP has met with a lot of raised eyebrows. The issue figured prominently at a state-level party meeting on Monday. After assessing the ground realities, the drive would be taken ahead in a big way, said a party leader.
All the senior leaders will participate in the drive soon, it was decided. The meet also reviewed the party’s election preparedness. Veteran BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who is leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said the party was clear on the issue.
“We are going to do it in a big way as we strongly feel people want to see Narendra Modi as the country’s next prime minister. The drive is not aimed at collecting money. It’s an attempt to reach each and every door step for campaigning.” The decision for the nationwide campaign was taken at a national-level party meet held in New Delhi on December 24.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
