This time the BJP wants to get more seats from the Southern states. It is weak in the South when compared to the other regions.
After the Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the BJP is focussing on the Southern states to implement its ‘Operation Dakshin Vijay’ strategy.
A year before the scheduled parliamentary elections in 2024, the BJP has identified two big targets in south India — Tamil Nadu and Telangana, both ruled by regional parties. Looking ahead, the party wants to reduce the north-south divide.
The party has little or no presence in the south, except for ruling Karnataka. Despite trying hard for decades, the BJP has yet to succeed with its expansion plans in the south.
Of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, the BJP is learnt to be particularly keen on trying to wrest the Hyderabad constituency, which has been for long a bastion of the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Mulslimeen.
The south contributes 129 seats to the Lok Sabha, of which the BJP has only 29. Party strategists have realized the need to penetrate the south where regional satraps are reigning. Karnataka’s election is a few months away, and Telangana also will face polls in less than a year. In such a scenario, can the BJPsucceed in its goal? Tamil Nadu posed a challenge in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The two-day meeting being held in Hyderabad is expected to focus on around 90 seats, including those it already holds, and where it sees itself emerging as a strong contender or as a winner in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Of particular focus will be Telangana where the BJP is determined to come to power dethroning the BRS party in the next elections, barely a year away.
Leaders from 16 seats are already in Hyderabad at a resort in Shameerpet and BL Santosh the National General Secretary is expected to address them.
