BJP membership: Journey of 'Lotus' painted on walls to people's hearts

I have taken the headline for this piece based on what Prime Minister Narendra Modisaid during the historic launch of the new membership of the BJP. Shri Modi ji has said: "We believed that the Lotus painted on the walls will someday get painted on hearts as well". 

This summarizes the conviction of every BJP Karyakarta. We have heard of the saying, - Men make Ideologies and Ideologies also make men. It is true - there is no end to it. 

This is a cycle and probably this is the way it should be. This year's party membership drive has a few significance of its own. 

The PM has underlined it well that the membership drive in 2024 is happening in a period that will also see the implementation of 33 per cent reservations for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Hence, we have to focus on new enrollment also to ensure that as many women as possible should join our party and build themselves up as future leaders for the society, the party and the nation. 

It goes without stating that the BJP is perhaps the only political party in India that is following the democratic process while expanding its work and base. We continue to work to improve our party's strength to live up to the expectations of the people. 

In fact, many times as BJP Karyakartas/leaders we are also congratulated for introducing a new political culture in the country. In BJP's ideology and commitment, the Nation comes first and foremost and then we see the interest of the party. 

In most other parties the 'self-interest' and at best the political power games for the parties are the guiding themes. These forces have been rejected time and again. Yet the 'ecosystem' of this school of politics and power games – and our detractors - - keep working in India often supported by vested interests from abroad.

I may also mention here what our national president J P Nadda ji has said. In his address, he said, our party is truly the only party in India today that works in accordance with the values imbibed in the Indian constitution. 

On this backdrop we all know that repeatedly Prime Minister Modi ji has referred himself as the Pradhan Sevak (first servant) of the country and thus he is an inspiration to lakhs of BJP workers and admirers.

Our BJP karyakartas should also be encouraged by what respected Home Minister Amit Shah ji said. He has pointed out that the BJP is not only the world’s largest political party but also the most democratic party. 

No other party conducts its membership drive with such transparency and honesty as the BJP. That way the BJP is today a stepping stone to achieve the much cherished goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.From the northeast point of view vis-a-vis BJP's growth and expansion we must focus on border hamlets.

In fact, Modi ji himself has underlined the need for the same. The Prime Minister has rightly said that once border villages of the country were known as the last villages, and it reflected negativity. However, the Modi government decided that these should not be the last villages but have to turn as ‘good examples’ and as the first villages. 

Thus, the Prime Minister has directed all of us the Karyakartas to form a special unit and run a membership drive in these villages.

The membership drive programme is a mission for thousands of BJP karyakartas. It has several things to achieve.The drive can counteract the harmful negative campaigns done against us from time to time.In fact, it may be right to see the Membership Mission as a right link “between our party's works andpast and the future roadmap for the party and the country. 

This is also a right occasion to celebrate and tell the people and new members what are the 'positive views' of our party's works and achievements.

Of course, this can also give a greater sense of continuity. Finally, the BJP is not a party of lip service.As Karyakartas we must all strive to translate the promises into actions. This should be done at all levels and these will ensure that the BJP is able stand out as the most credible political party.

(M Chuba Ao is BJP National Vice President and the views are personal)