After holding nationwide training camps for its cadre, the BJP will organise similar camps for its elected MPs, MLAs, panchayat members and even the government nominees to the various public sector units.
This is the second phase of the massive training programme carried out by the BJP for its cadre. Special modules are being prepared, along with lists of motivational speakers who could preach on time management and provide presentation tips to the elected leaders. Sources said the training programme for the MPs, MLAs would start soon after the elections were over in the five states.
During the first phase, the BJP had trained over 9 lakh cadre out of the 15 lakhs target. These cadre were given lessons in party ideology, personality development, public speaking and media management.
BJP chief Amit Shah has been pushing for training of BJP workers after the party enrolled over 11 crore members. Training for elected representatives was necessitated by the fact that many of them were still unaware of the party's ideological stance or those of the ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhayaya.
“Its not just the MPs and MLAs — training sessions will also be held for nominated members of the PSUs, cooperative society members, sarpanches, elected representatives in municipalities, personal assistants of political leaders and office staff in all party offices. Such massive push is given so that BJP's ideology reaches all levels of people associated with the party,” R.Balashankar, BJP leader involved in the training, told THE WEEK.
“Even the personal assistants and office staff are being trained so that they know how to deal with people — helping the political leaders discharge their duties,” Balashankar added.
For the purpose of training, the BJP has even taken over two think-tanks — Ram Bhau Probodhini and Surya Institution — as two training schools under its wings.
Cadre come in handy during the times of holding agitations and moblising crowds for rallies, but most importantly while maintaining a contact with the public. The results of proper training move beyond the electoral successes to shape societal changes in terms of increased awareness, confidence and ideological shifts.
Earlier, the residential camps even saw attendance of party seniors like BJP chief Shah, CMs like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh in their respective states. “It provides a great opportunity and even helps an ordinary member bond well with the party,” adds Balashankar.
According to the schedule prepared by the BJP, the mandal level training would be for one and a half days; two days for district level; three days for state level and four days for national level cadre training camps. All are residential.
The idea is that training provide ideological pinning to the cadre, so that they are in the party not just for tickets or ministership. In future, training could also be a criteria for becoming an office bearer.
Shah regularly reviews progress made by the training cell every three months — speaking with unit presidents, general secretaries and those in charge of training. The training cell is headed by party general secretary Murlidhar Rao.
For residential training programmes conducted for the cadre, the entire format is decided from Delhi. Even an observer is sent to evaluate the camp, checking the response and its effectiveness.
Talking about the training programmes conducted by the BJP, party general secretary Murlidhar Rao, said, “National party with trained manpower is an achievement.”
“For all practical purposes, we are getting into the shoes of the Congress as we extend our reach from Panchayat to Parliament. Once Congress was all pervasive, now BJP is doing the same thing,” he added explaining the emphasis on training at levels in the BJP.
According to the plan, only those people who had undergone some kind of training will be eligible for party posts.
