But the week was also marked by the indication given by Ram Lal, BJP national organisation secretary that the party should be ready for mid-term poll in the state. While saying so he also made it clear that the party has no intention to overthrow the Kamal Nath Government. Ram Lal was in Bhopal to oversee the membership campaign of the party. Interacting with state leaders Ram Lal said “the current membership drive will focus on enlisting support for over 50 per cent voters through a direct connect on each booth”. He said “Strengthening booths proved to be the major reason for the success of the party in LS elections. The membership drive will begin from July 6 to focus on booths and people connect with the help of grass root workers” he was speaking at a meeting ahead of BJP’s nationwide membership drive.

The meeting was attended by majority of newly elected MPs, Union ministers, state and district level office-bearers. However, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and 11 MPs did not attend the meeting. Speaking on the occasion party’s national membership campaign in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that “The BJP’s best performance is yet to come. We must strengthen our party and the membership drive will aim for more public acceptance and support” said Chouhan.

BJP state president Rakesh Singh said “We will ensure that BJP workers reach out to every voter and the party’s presence is felt across the stat”.

The membership drive will begin from July 6 and will be completed in two phases. The first phase will be held from July 7 to 10 followed by second phased from July 9 to 11.

On July 12, state-level and from July 15 to 20, district level workshops will be held to boost the drive. From July 21 to 30 all the conveners and promoters will visit the ‘Shakti Kendra’ for booth connect. The drive will conclude between September 1 and `10, said Rakesh Singh.

Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said “during the membership drive, no community or caste should be left and the aim of the BJP should be to set up ties with all people belonging to different castes and communities. It will be a great day for the party when its government will be formed in West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha”. The BJP leaders also laid stress on the fact that the places in the state where the party was behind its rivals in the assembly election should be focused. BJP claims that it has one crore members in the state and the number should be increased to 1.50 crore.

Both the BJP and Congress have started preparation for the Vidhan Sabha seat vacated by G S Damor who resigned from Vidhan Sabha after being elected to the Lok Sabha. The seat is tribal constituency of Jhabua. Among others former Union Minister Kanti Lal Bhuria is seeking ticket from this constituency. Bhuria lost the Lok Sabha election. Chief Minister is scheduled to undertake hectic tours of the constituency.

In the 2008 assembly election Damor defeated Bhuria’s son Dr. Vikrant Bhuria and Bhuria himself lost to him in the May Lok Sabha election. On the other hand, Medha, who contested against Vikrant as independent and played a key role in his defeat at the hand of Damor is also in the race. Both of them have had the first round of discussion with the CM in Bhopal.

On Monday Kamal Nath inaugurated “School Chale Hum” campaign for the new academic session at a function in School of Excellence, Jhabua.

Later, he participated in a mass marriage function organsied under “Mukhya Manti Kanya & Nikah Yojana” and a programme related to Jai Kisan loan waiver scheme. He also laid foundation stone for development works and returned to Bhopal by evening. And thus Kamal Nath launched party’s campaign the by-poll. (IPA Service)