BJP goes into overdrive to finalise strategy

INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala,a key NDA ally,met Advani to discuss the post-poll strategy. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj also joined in the deliberations which went on for quite some time.

Chautla’s INLD is a key ally of the BJP-led NDA in Haryana where it is looking forward to regain lost ground. RLD chief Ajit Singh,an important partner in Uttar Pradesh,was the next to hold consultations with Advani.

“We discussed possible results and what is happening and what should be done,” Ajit Singh told reporters after the meeting.

Senior party leaders have been assigned tasks to keep in touch with allies and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has been given the responsibility to get support from AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.

Venkaiah Naidu is keeping the communication lines open with TRS and try to get around TDP. Naidu is also coordinating with the Asom Gana Parishad.

Advani is understood to be in touch with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NDA convener Sharad Yadav.

A meeting of NDA chief ministers was called in New Delhi to discuss post-poll strategy but had to be postponed due to unavailability of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,who had to be present in Patna for the second death anniversary of his wife Manju Devi.

The meeting is likely to be held after final results are announced on Saturday.

Asked about talks with prospective allies,BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said,”Our strategy is fully in place. A lot of work has already been done but we have decided that we will not just talk but walk the talk.”

He said the party was confident about emerging victorious in the elections. “We are waiting for the poll results with full confidence,” Javadekar said.

Other leaders,including BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley,Najma Heptullah,Prakash Javadekar,Chandan Mitra and in house psephologist G V L Narasimha Rao also met Advani.