Guj. govt school teachers being pressured to find recruits for BJP: Congress

Gujarat's BJP membership drive, aimed at enrolling 2 crore primary members, is embroiled in controversy with Congress leader and Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil alleging that government school teachers are being pressured to recruit members for the party.

Addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi, Gohil claimed that children are being asked to provide their mobile numbers and one-time passwords (OTPs) as part of this initiative.

Since its launch earlier this month, the drive has faced scrutiny over dubious practices reported across the state.

Allegations include the unauthorised enrollment of school children and their parents in Surendranagar, rural employment guarantee workers in Narmada, and even patients at public health centres in Visnagar.

In a notable incident reported on Wednesday, Prakashben Darbar and her husband, visiting a public health centre in Visnagar for a routine injection, found themselves in a troubling situation. After providing her mobile number to a staff member, Prakashben was instructed to share the OTP sent to her phone. Following this, she received a congratulatory message confirming her enrollment as a primary member of the BJP, raising serious questions about the ethics and transparency of the enrollment process.

Moreover, reports from Bhavnagar have emerged indicating that local party leaders are offering Rs 500 to individuals who can recruit 100 new members, further raising concerns about the integrity of the membership drive.

Attacking PM Modi who led the government in Gujarat from 2001-14, Gohil said, "In Gujarat, criminals and miscreants become members of the BJP. After becoming a member, it is as if they get a license to commit crime. The news published by a Gujarat newspaper shows that those who commit crimes against women have some BJP connection. It is clear that law and order has collapsed in Gujarat. So much is happening in Gujarat, but Narendra Modi is silent."

As per Gujarat watchers, while the BJP continues its efforts to bolster its membership base, these controversies could have significant implications for the party's reputation and electoral strategies. While the ruling party is yet to respond to the allegations, the incidents do appear to point to the use of certain unethical practices.