The constant drubbing in the co-operative body polls in the state, notwithstanding the victory in the mid-September bypolls, has made the BJP treat the coming local body elections with caution.

The state BJP has asked its office-bearers to conduct Diwali get-togethers at several places in the state and has issued circulars to all district and taluka bearers in this regard. They have been asked to hold meetings at their respective levels through the end of the month to increase contact with the ordinary workers and the public.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi met party workers at the party head office in Khanpur on Friday evening as part of the annual practice. The Chief Minister, who has been spending time with the party workers at Maninagar in Gandhinagar, has advised the young workers to devote time to social activities.

A party functionary said the workers were told to highlight the achievements of the BJP government in Gujarat as also the failure of the UPA government in containing price rise.

An executive committee meeting on a later date will take stock of these meetings and their outcome when all the office-bearers will submit reports of their performances. These reports will form the basis for elevation of party workers in the hierarchy and brighten their chances of getting tickets to civic elections, said a party worker.

On being asked about the low attendance at the meeting, a party worker said several of them were away on vacation.

Anandiben Patel, Fakirbhai Vaghela, Jayantibhai Barot, Zaverbhai Chavda and Ahmedabad West MP Dr Kirit Solanki were present at the meeting.

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