BJP turns to grass-roots unit for boost

BELLARY: After losing the byelection and having freed itself from the clutches of the Reddy clan, the BJP now plans to strengthen the organisation from the grassroots level in Bellary.The poor score of 17,366 votes in the by-election has made the BJP prepare afresh for the next assembly elections with full force.The party is organising a districtlevel party workers’ convention in Bellary on December 18, wherein plans to reorganise the party from the grassroots level will be finalised.Speaking to reporters here on Monday, district BJP unit president G Virupaksha Gowda said state party president K S Eshwarappa was scheduled to attend the convention. He said rumours and false publicity by the opponents about the BJP defeated party candidate P Gadhilingappa in the by-election.Veerupakshagowda alleged that the statement issued by MLC Mrityunjaya Jinaga during election campaign that B Sriramulu would be brought back to the party folds after the election created confusion and misled the party workers.He said the BJP had decided to nominate one incharge in each gram panchayat in rural areas and each ward in urban areas to strength the party.The 17,366 votes secured by party candidate indicated the large following in the district, he said, and added that plans were afoot to field candidates from all the nine constituency in the next Assembly elections. Party workers would go to each house in the district to apprise people of programmes undertaken by the government, he said.On action against those working against the party during the poll, Gowda said a complaint had been sent to the state party president who will decide on further course of action.