By IANS
Raipur : The faction ridden Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chhattisgarh began a brainstorming meet Saturday at Champaran in Raipur district to firm up a strategy for the assembly polls scheduled next year, which the saffron party has named 'Mission-2008'.
The two-day meet is being held in the backdrop of a protest by seven BJP legislators a few days back. The MLAs had even rushed to New Delhi to lodge their grievances about Chief Minister Raman Singh's "style of functioning" with party president Rajnath Singh.
National secretary and party-in-charge of the state Dharmendra Pradhan and about 60 delegates including the chief minister, his cabinet colleagues, state party president Vishnudev Sai, party leaders heading boards and corporations and several leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – the BJP's ideological mentor – will put their head together to discuss a strategy to pull off a victory in next year's polls.
"Though, factionalism and revolts by seven legislators backed by another 15-20 members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) against Raman Singh, is not on the agenda but it is likely to be discussed briefly Sunday, the final day, to stem rebel activities," a senior party leader who did not want to be named said.
"The party leaders will discuss all issues with an open heart with focus on firming up a strategy to expand the party's base and publicise the government's achievements in all the 18 districts," the leader said.
He further said: "The meet is basically to prepare a roadmap for the party's smooth sailing in 2008 assembly polls".