The BJP in Uttar Pradesh is, once again, reverting back to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to revive itself in the state.
The BJP will be launching “Samagra Atal” in the state on September 21 with an objective to collect and digitalise writings, thoughts and speeches of Mr Vajpayee, who won five times from Lucknow parliamentary constituency.
The initiative to collect and digitalise Mr Vajpayee’s works, including writings and speeches, has been taken up by Ashutosh Tandon, son of BJP MP
Lalji Tandon.
The “Samagra Atal Project” was launched in Delhi on June 8 by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and in Lucknow; the project will be launched on
September 21 at a function by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley.
According to BJP sources, Mr Vajpayee continues to remain the most recognised and most respected faces in the BJP in Uttar Pradesh even though it
has been almost 5 years since he quit active politics. Mr Vajpayee’s persona has the capacity to dilute factional wars and unite all state and
national leaders in his name. Moreover, he is also considered the secular face of the BJP.
“Vajpayee remains the most acceptable and most popular leader of the BJP and his memory can work wonders for the party in the state. Through the
‘Samagra Atal’ project, we will revive his memory and create his ‘presence’ even in his absence,” said a senior party leader.
The “Samagra Atal” will hopefully be ready by the time elections in UP are held and Mr Vajpayee’s speeches will apparently form the mainstay of the
party’s election campaign.