The BJP’s membership drive in Gujarat is mired in controversy, with reports alleging the enrollment of school children, hospital patients, and promises of monetary incentives for new members. Issues have been reported in various locations including Surendranagar, Visnagar, and Narmada.
A recent incident at a public health center in Visnagar raised eyebrows when a woman visiting for an anti-rabies injection inadvertently became a BJP member after sharing her mobile OTP with staff. The incident was recorded by her husband, who questioned the staff about the requirement. “We were told it was a new hospital regulation,” he stated, prompting widespread discussion.
In Bhavnagar, a local party leader was captured on video encouraging volunteers to recruit 100 new members in exchange for ₹500.
Controversy in Schools
Another significant controversy emerged in Surendranagar district where students at a local school were reportedly urged to enroll as BJP members. The principal instructed a teacher to communicate with parents via WhatsApp, asking students to bring mobile phones to school. This led to Class 9 students being enrolled as party members while holding tricolors, causing the district education officer to issue a show cause notice to the school.
School authorities later claimed the request for phones was meant to link ration cards to Aadhaar, asserting that students may have joined the BJP independently. However, a teacher insisted the principal orchestrated the enrollment.
In Narmada, Aam Aadmi Party legislator Chaitar Vasava accused local officials of pressuring workers of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to enroll in the party.
The BJP aims to enroll two crore primary members in Gujarat as part of its membership drive. C.R. Paatil, the state party chief, expressed confidence in achieving this goal, highlighting the previous enrollment of 1.19 crore members. Targets have been set for local leaders, with MPs expected to engage personally in the recruitment process.
Despite the series of controversies, the state BJP has not released any official comments regarding the incidents.
Published – September 19, 2024 04:40 am IST
