Minority outreach must not compromise BJP ideology, says Himanta Biswa Sarma
The Assam Chief Minister told party workers to maintain ideological positions while expanding organisational presence in minority-dominated areas.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Tuesday that expanding the party's presence in minority-dominated areas should not lead to a compromise in ideology.
Speaking at the second day of the state core committee meeting at Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati, Sarma said that diluting the party's ideological position to attract minority voters would create difficulties.
According to The Assam Tribune, Sarma attributed the increase in organisational support in these areas to the development initiatives undertaken by his government.
The Chief Minister cited narrow losses in the Mankachar and Porbatjora Assembly seats, as well as close contests in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, to support his assessment.
The meeting also addressed upcoming elections for autonomous councils and municipal bodies. Sarma stated the state BJP will remain neutral in the Mising Autonomous Council and Sonowal-Kachari Autonomous Council polls because they will not be contested on party symbols.
The party's immediate priority is the municipal elections expected in March, which will be fought using party symbols. The committee also discussed the Silchar Municipal Corporation elections and planned training sessions for newly inducted MLAs.