BJP's Membership Campaign Delays Political Appointments in Madhya Pradesh, What Challenge Aspirants Face?

The ongoing membership drive by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh (MP) is expected to significantly influence upcoming political appointments in the state. Initially, it was anticipated that these appointments would be made sometime in September. 

However, recent developments indicate that the appointments may be delayed by at least three months. This delay is largely attributed to the intensive focus on the membership campaign, which has been prioritized by both government officials and party workers.

Adding to this, the Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for by-elections in two assembly constituencies in MP anytime after September 15. This potential by-election timeline has further complicated the appointment process, as political appointments are now expected to occur only after the completion of both the membership campaign and the by-elections.

Prolonged Wait for Political Appointments

Political appointments, particularly for the positions of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in over 50 state-run corporations, boards, and undertakings, have been eagerly awaited by contenders since the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections-2024. Many of these aspirants had anticipated that appointments would follow swiftly after the general elections. However, their wait has been extended due to the busy schedule of the government and the recently intensified BJP membership drive.

CM held a meeting with RSS officials

Approximately a week ago, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav held a private meeting with top officials of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). During this meeting, discussions took place not only on governmental work but also on the pending political appointments in various state-run entities. It was suggested that a list of potential appointees should be prepared and sent for approval to the party’s central leadership in Delhi. This gave rise to speculation that political appointments were imminent. However, the focus on the membership drive has now further delayed these appointments.

Contenders Must Prove Their Worth

For those eyeing positions within state corporations and boards, proving their mettle has become more challenging. While their previous political background will certainly play a role in their consideration, the success of these contenders in contributing to the ongoing membership campaign has now emerged as a crucial criterion.

Track record of each claimant will be scrutinized

At a recent state-level meeting on the membership campaign, both Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and BJP’s state organizational head, VD Sharma, emphasized that political appointments will favor those officials who successfully meet the targets set during the membership drive. This means that once the membership campaign concludes and the time for political appointments arrives, the track record of each claimant will be scrutinized. Officials will assess how many new members each contender was tasked with enrolling and how successful they were in achieving these targets.

High Membership Target Poses a Challenge

The current BJP membership campaign has set an ambitious target of enrolling 1.5 crore members in Madhya Pradesh. This campaign, which the BJP renews every six years, had previously seen the state BJP successfully add 95 lakh members during the last drive. However, this year’s target has been significantly increased to 1.5 crore members.

The BJP’s strategy behind this increased target is based on the voting patterns observed during the last elections. During the most recent assembly elections, the BJP secured 2.11 crore votes in the state, which increased to 2.22 crore in the subsequent Lok Sabha elections, translating to an additional 11 lakh votes. This increase in voter support led to the BJP winning all 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. 

The party is now working on the assumption that those who voted for the BJP could also become its members, hence the ambitious target of 1.5 crore. However, this target has also become a formidable challenge for those seeking political appointments, as their success in contributing to this membership drive will now be a key factor in their selection.