he BJP leadership’s decision to go with “tried and tested” Mahendra Singh as prabhari (in-charge) for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Assam suggests that it will continue with the think-tank that won the state Assembly polls in 2016.
The BJP had unseated the Congress, which had been in power from 2001 to 2016, in alliance with the AGP and the BPF.
Mahendra Singh, an incumbent UP minister, was among the 17 in-charge of states to be appointed by party president Amit Shah on Wednesday. He is also among the few to be retained as prabhari.
BJP insiders said continuance of Singh, first appointed in November 2014 as prabhari for the Assam Assembly polls, was a welcome sign. It signalled “continuance” of the 2016 core Assembly think-tank for Assam.
The core team included, among others, Neda convener Himanta Biswa Sarma, NE zonal secretary (organisation) Ajat Jamwal, state general secretary (organisation) Phanindra Nath Sarma and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Assam state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass will be a new entrant to the team, which will be “guided as always” by RSS members.
The insiders said most in the Assam unit wanted Singh to continue because he had “spent” close to two years learning about the state and its people while preparing the party for the Assembly polls. They also wanted him for his “ability” to carry along everyone.