Vadodara, July 13 (IANS) Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Jagdish Vishwakarma on Monday projected the BJP as a “party with a difference”, saying it was the only political organisation where an ordinary worker could rise to the highest positions through dedication and service, as the party formally launched its campaign for the Manjalpur Assembly bye-election.

The programme began with the inauguration of the BJP’s election central office in Manjalpur, followed by a public meeting, a ‘Vijay Vishwas Bike Rally’ and the filing of Satish Patel’s nomination papers at the Vadodara Collector’s Office.

Before the public meeting, Vishwakarma and other BJP leaders paid floral tributes to late MLA Yogesh Patel, whose death last month necessitated the bye-election.

Addressing party workers and supporters, Vishwakarma said Satish Patel’s candidature reflected the BJP’s organisational culture of promoting committed grassroots workers.

“The BJP is called a ‘party with a difference’ because it is the only party where an ordinary worker can rise to the highest position through hard work, service, dedication and commitment to the organisation,” he said.

He said the late Yogesh Patel himself had started his political journey as an ordinary party worker after participating in the Navnirman Movement and had gone on to win the confidence of the people for eight consecutive terms.

Describing the bypoll as an opportunity to honour the late legislator’s legacy, he said: “The resounding victory of BJP candidate Satish Patel in the bye-election will be a true tribute to late Yogesh Patel.”

He added that a decisive BJP victory would strengthen the development agenda being pursued in Gujarat under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

“For the past three decades, the people of Gujarat have continuously expressed their faith in the lotus symbol and the BJP, supporting the development-oriented leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

He also asserted that “the people of Manjalpur have always reposed their faith in the BJP and have completely rejected the Opposition parties.”

Calling party workers the BJP’s greatest strength, Vishwakarma praised those who worked tirelessly “day and night, regardless of heat or shade”, and urged them to campaign intensively by reaching every household, ensuring maximum voter turnout and working with complete dedication for the victory of the lotus symbol.

Highlighting Satish Patel’s credentials, he said: “He possesses extensive organisational and administrative experience acquired over many years and has worked sincerely for the party without seeking personal gain or recognition.”

Satish Patel appealed to voters to ensure the BJP’s victory, saying that “as a dedicated party worker he would strive to fulfil the unfinished aspirations of the late Yogesh Patel and continue working for the development of Manjalpur”.

The programme was attended by state ministers Raman Solanki and Manisha Vakil, BJP state general secretary Hitendrasinh Chauhan, state vice-president Rasik Prajapati, Member of Parliament and BJP Yuva Morcha state president Dr Hemang Joshi, Assembly Chief Whip Balkrishna Shukla, Vadodara Mayor Gita Makwana, MLAs, Yogesh Patel’s son Rakesh Patel, BJP office-bearers, party workers and a large number of citizens.

The bye-election has developed into a direct contest between the BJP’s Satish Patel and the Congress’s Bhikha Rabari, with both parties launching full-fledged campaigns after filing their nominations on Monday.

Polling is scheduled for July 30, while counting of votes will take place on August 3.

–IANS

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