Just before the first phase of Gujarat elections, BJP changed its strategy, CSDS survey increased the concern of Modi and Amit Shah

The results of the CSDS survey, which came just before the first phase of Gujarat Assembly Election 2022, have reportedly raised the concern of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Just before the first phase, BJP has changed its election strategy. The BJP has asked its workers to ensure that the voting percentage in the centers under their charge is above 42 per cent. The party has instructed the workers to appeal to the voters not to press the ‘NOTA’ button.

In the 2017 assembly elections, there were 22 seats where the margin of victory and defeat of BJP candidates was less than the number of NOTA votes. The BJP has asked its panna pramukhs and polling booth in-charges to keep an eye on the fact that if there is more than 70 per cent polling in their area, it could be a red flag for ‘vote for change’.

What does the CSDS survey say?

According to a CSDS survey, despite high-octane election campaigns by PM Modi, Home Minister Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, anger over ‘price rise’ and ‘lack of jobs’ persists. At the same time, party workers are upset that the popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party has increased among the BJP-backed sections, especially among the youth.

It has been said in the survey report that there are two important factors for the change in BJP’s strategy. One is voter apathy, most feel that BJP will return to power and second factor is that BJP has denied tickets to 42 sitting MLAs and fielded Congress defectors, so party’s worry is almost one. There is a possible rebellion on a quarter of the seats.

These are also reasons for BJP’s concern!

The survey report also states that apart from changing candidates, workers have struggled to garner crowds at rallies of top BJP leaders. One reason for the BJP’s concern is that it had won 99 seats in the last assembly election, its lowest number of seats in six consecutive victories since 1995. This time BJP had initially set a target of winning about 150 seats, but it is being said in the survey report that the party is no longer confident about its initial target.