Kolkata: The Bengal BJP has initiated a series of back-to-back workshops to train party workers ahead of the counting day on May 4. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called state leaders to assess preparedness, while Bengal BJP minder Sunil Bansal held meetings with specialized functional units on Thursday.
Bansal, widely credited with building the party's present organizational network, told workers that there would be no violence this time and that counting day operations must run with "clockwork precision." Workshops for workers are scheduled over the next two days.
Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya dismissed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's strong room vigilance calls as a sign of weakness rather than strength. "Her apprehension has actually stemmed from the absence of Trinamool workers in a number of booths this time," he said.
He also predicted that Banerjee would claim vote theft after the results. "Their plot is ready. After the results are out, you may even hear from her that BJP has stolen votes," Bhattacharya said.
The counting-day focus reflects lessons drawn from 2021, when a weak organization and allegations of violence on counting day cost the party. Over the past year, state leaders have held 1.65 lakh small "chatai meetings" with workers and voters to build ground-level strength, followed by nearly 12,000 street corner meetings to maintain active worker presence. Internal coordination — long a weakness, with Suvendu Adhikari, Dilip Ghosh and Sukanta Majumdar frequently speaking in different voices — has also been a focus. "The coordination was ensured through regular meetings between top state leaders, making the party work as a cohesive group. This was reflected in the Brigade rally, which saw an unexpected turnout," said a state BJP senior.
