Amit Shah to launch BJP’s membership drive in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on October 29

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 25

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected in Lucknow on October 29 to launch BJP’s special membership drive and review the party’ strategy in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections next year.

While Shah has been publicly praising the Yogi Adityanath Government for taking the state to the top spot in terms of law and order, sources who claim “perceptible differences/issues between him and Adityanath” are eagerly awaiting the visit that follows the Lakhimpur Kheri incident involving the son of minister of state for Home Ajay Mishra Teni, a close confidante of the Union Home Minister.

Observers say it will be interesting to see if Shah makes any public observation on the incident involving his deputy, a Brahmin leader known for his “proximity” to him.

Meanwhile, apart from Adityanath, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the party MP from Lucknow, is also expected to be present at the launch of the drive. During the visit, Shah is likely to hold meetings with party leaders to discuss election strategy.

Though the exact schedule of the visit, during which Shah may also address a public rally, has not been officially announced, but the speculation around Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has also created a buzz in the political corridors of the state.

Shah will hold separate meetings with Adityanath, key state leaders and office-bearers on election preparations and other issues. The focus will be on including beneficiaries of government schemes to first-time voters, intellectuals, minorities and women. In the membership drive, a target has been set to add 100 people to each booth.