Gandhinagar, April 15 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) three-phase campaign for the upcoming local self-government elections has entered its second stage, party leaders said on Wednesday, outlining the structure and outreach strategy as campaigning gathers pace across Gujarat.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Gandhinagar, chief spokesperson Dr Anil Patel said, “The BJP’s campaign, which will run in three phases, is currently in the second phase; the first phase was completed before the filing of nomination forms, and the third phase will continue until voting.”

The remarks coincided with an exhibition of the party’s election campaign materials and literature at the state office.

According to the party leaders, the display showcased a wide range of campaign materials prepared for the elections.

Patel said the campaign was being conducted through multiple channels, combining grassroots outreach with digital efforts.

“With BJP’s strong organisational strength up to the booth level, the election campaign is being effectively carried out through door-to-door public outreach, digital campaigning, as well as songs and music,” he said.

He added that the campaign aimed to communicate the work of both the central and state governments.

“Through these efforts, information about the pro-people and development works as well as welfare schemes of the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, as well as the state government under the leadership of Bhupendra Patel, is being conveyed to citizens,” Patel said.

Detailing the campaign materials, he said the party had prepared a variety of items.

“For election campaigning, BJP has prepared a range of materials, including campaign literature booklets, banners containing information about schemes and development works, and items with the lotus symbol, from those for children to materials usable by adults,” he said, adding that these would be deployed across locations to strengthen outreach.

Referring to the party’s broader messaging, Patel said, “On the basis of development, good governance and public welfare works, BJP is moving ahead in election campaigning with the trust of the people.”

He also said the slogan linking public support to development reflected the prevailing public mood.

Expressing confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, Patel said, “Based on the report card of development works, the people of Gujarat will once again bless the BJP with a grand victory.”

In a separate statement earlier, Patel criticised the Congress over its election strategy, referring to what he described as “resort politics”.

“Congress first ran a ‘find candidate’ campaign. Now Congress has started a ‘hide candidate’ campaign. On the day of the results, Congress will run a ‘hide face’ campaign,” he said.

He further alleged, “A Congress leader himself admitted that the party demands money to give tickets,” and added that the opposition lacked confidence in its own candidates.

“Congress has no confidence in its own candidates. On the 28th, Congress will come to know its real position,” Patel said.

The Congress, meanwhile, has shifted more than 100 of its candidates to undisclosed “safe locations” in parts of Gujarat, including districts such as Navsari, Rajkot and Surat, amid concerns over alleged poaching and inducements ahead of the withdrawal deadline.

The move followed a series of uncontested wins by the BJP across several seats, with the opposition claiming its candidates were being pressured to withdraw nominations.

–IANS

mys/uk