BJP to Deploy 171 Vistaraks Across 171 Mandals to Boost Grassroots Strength
BJP Himachal President Rajeev Bindal announces massive organizational expansion with 171 Vistaraks and 171 Mandals to strengthen grassroots presence.
In a major move to fortify its presence at the ground level, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh is undergoing a massive organizational overhaul. Addressing the media in Hamirpur, BJP Himachal Pradesh President Rajeev Bindal announced that the party is deploying 171 Vistaraks to oversee 171 newly formed Mandals, aiming to tighten its grip on the polling-booth level.
The restructuring involves a significant expansion of the party's reach. The BJP has reorganized its previous 74 mandals into 171, while also establishing 17 distinct organizational districts across the state. This network extends down to nearly 8,000 polling booths, where various cells and morchas have already been formed.
Strengthening the Booth-Level Network
Dr. Bindal emphasized that the party's true power resides at the booth level. To ensure this strength is effectively managed, each Vistarak will work in close coordination with their respective Mandal President. The goal is to create a seamless connection between the leadership and the grassroots workers.
The party is already actively engaging with its local units. Currently, monthly meetings are being conducted at approximately 6,000 to 7,000 polling booths, with the aim of reaching all 8,000 booths. A two-day training camp is being held in Hamirpur to refine this system and prepare workers for the task ahead.
Financial Concerns and Government Borrowing
While discussing the party's expansion, Dr. Bindal also launched a sharp critique of the current state government's financial management. He raised alarms over the state's increasing debt, noting a recent ₹600 crore market borrowing. He claimed that total borrowings during the current government's tenure have crossed ₹45,000 crore.
The BJP leader demanded transparency regarding these funds, questioning how much of the borrowed money is actually being utilized for development versus being swallowed by committed liabilities and other expenditures. He specifically called for the government to disclose the breakdown of spending to the public.
Allegations of Excessive Publicity Spending
Dr. Bindal leveled further accusations against the Congress-led government, alleging that nearly ₹1,000 crore has been spent on publicity and promotion. He specifically pointed to the massive scale of advertising surrounding the Kishau Dam agreement, noting the abundance of hoardings across the state.
"When poor people are concerned about the cost of medical treatment, employees and pensioners are raising issues regarding their financial dues, and people are seeking basic public services, the government must explain how much money has been spent on publicity and why such expenditure was considered necessary," Bindal stated.
He also highlighted several critical issues facing the public, including:
- The deteriorating condition of rural and link roads across the state.
- The need for the government to clarify its own contribution to road development compared to centrally funded projects like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
- Delays and payment issues for hospitals operating under the HIMCARE and Ayushman Bharat schemes.
Dominance in Local Body Elections
Turning to recent electoral successes, Dr. Bindal highlighted the BJP's strong performance in the Zila Parishad elections. He noted that in 11 out of the 12 Zila Parishads where elections were completed, BJP-backed candidates secured leadership in 10 of them.
The party's momentum also extends to the Block Development Committees (BDCs). According to Bindal, elections have been completed in 87 of the state's 92 BDCs, with BJP-backed candidates winning the posts of president and vice-president in 60 of those committees. In the Hamirpur district specifically, the party has secured leadership in five out of the six BDCs where elections took place.