Innovative Field Organizer: An example from 1980s Gujarat

Published By : Admin | September 16, 2016 | 23:49 IST

It is well known that Narendra Modi before he became Chief Minister and Prime Minister was an innovative Field Organizer. He has been involved in organisation work from Panchayat elections to Parliamentary elections.

 His innovative organising skills are best understood from how he, as a key member of the Gujarat BJP organisation helped the BJP win the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections in the 1980s.

His innovation in Organizational Methods was focused on two things. First was division of labor by making sure every Karyakarta had a goal driven task and every task driven goal had a Karyakarta assigned to it. The second aspect was ensuring there was an emotional connect with the campaign. He was able to inspire that emotional connect by advocating a sense of ownership towards the City and its Governance. 

The highlight of his community organizing during that campaign was micro-engagement with Karyakartas and engaged citizens through 1000 Community level Group Meetings in Ahmedabad. As a preparation for these 1000 Community level Meetings he had conducted a Training Course for 100 Karyakarta volunteers. The focus of the training was on what the Karyakarta was expected to do at a Community level Group Meeting - what issues to highlight what arguments to make ?

This was a novel and radical move as far as election strategy was concerned.

The Community level group meetings would comprise of citizen groups of 25 to 30 where articulate speakers would be encouraged to speak up on the issues concerning the city. To get women engaged in the process he had started all Women’s Group Meetings in the afternoons after 2pm. He even managed to persuade Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji to come for a Municipal Campaign.

There is something to be said of the uniqueness of Narendra Modi’s approach to Field Organizing. This blending of a structured process of volunteer training, volunteer mobilization with an emotional local connect created the ground conditions for the BJP victory in the Ahmedabad Municipal Election to provide Narendra Modi with a template for statewide Organizing of the Sanghatan with a micro-focus at the Local Level. 

Such precision was repeated election after election, be it in Gujarat, Lok Sabha Elections as a General Secretary and when Shri Modi finally joined electoral politics in 2001. His ability to connect with people and understand their needs and aspirations has been truly beneficial.

 

Disclaimer:

It is part of an endeavour to collect stories which narrate or recount people’s anecdotes/opinion/analysis on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi & his impact on lives of people.

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Cricket legend K. Srikkanth reveals what makes PM Modi a true leader!
March 26, 2025

Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth shares his heartfelt admiration for PM Modi, recounting moments that reflect the PM’s humility, warmth and unwavering ability to inspire.

Reminiscing his meeting with PM Modi, Srikkanth says, “Greatest thing about PM Modi is… when you go talk to him and meet him, you feel so comfortable, you don’t feel overpowered that he is the Prime Minister. He will be very casual and if you want to discuss anything and have any thoughts, he will make you feel very very comfortable, so you won’t feel scared.”

The cricket legend recalls how he once sent a text message addressed to the PM to his Secretary congratulating PM Modi for victories in 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections and was taken aback when he received a personal reply from the PM himself!

“The biggest quality PM Modi has is his ability to talk to you, make you feel comfortable and make you feel important,” Srikkanth adds recalling a programme he had attended in Chennai. He notes how Shri Modi, even as a Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014, remained approachable and humble. He fondly recalls the event where the PM personally called him on stage. “I was standing in the crowd and suddenly, he called me up. The entire auditorium was clapping. That is the greatness of this man,” he shares.

PM Modi’s passion for cricket is another aspect that deeply resonates with Srikkanth. Reminiscing a memorable instance, he shares how PM Modi watched an entire match in Ahmedabad with great enthusiasm like a true cricket aficionado.

Even in challenging moments, PM Modi’s leadership shines through. Srikkanth highlights how after Team India lost the World Cup in November 2023, PM Modi personally visited the Indian dressing room to boost the team’s morale. “PM Modi went and spoke to each and every cricketer and spoke to them personally. That matters a lot as a cricketer after losing the final. Words of encouragement from the Prime Minister has probably boosted India to win the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup,” he says.

Beyond cricket, the former Indian cricketer is in awe of PM Modi’s incredible energy and fitness, attributing it to his disciplined routine of yoga and meditation. “Because PM Modi is physically very fit, he is mentally very sharp. Despite his hectic international schedule, he always looks fresh,” he adds.

For Krishnamachari Srikkanth, PM Modi is more than just a leader he is an inspiration. His words and actions continue to uplift India’s sporting spirit, leaving an indelible impact on athletes and citizens alike.