Did you know before he took the plunge in the world of electoral politics, Shri Narendra Modi had spent years in the BJP organisation, where he became known for his organisation skills and his grass root level approach that endeared him to party Karyakartas.
In 1987, Shri Narendra Modi joined the BJP where one of his first responsibilities was campaign for the 1987 Ahmedabad civic polls. A spirited campaign ensured the BJP won the polls.
In 1990, he was in the core team to strategize for the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha elections. The results of the elections brought an end to a decade of Congress rule. From 141 and 149 seats in 1980 and 1985 respectively, the Congress was down to 33 seats and the BJP won 67 seats and joined a coalition government with Shri Chimanbhai Patel. Though the alliance was short-lived, the BJP had emerged as a formidable force in Gujarat.
In 1995, again when Shri Narendra Modi was actively involved in the campaign for the Assembly Polls, the BJP decided for the first time to contest all 182 seats. In a historic outcome, the party won 121 seats and formed the Government.
In 1996 Shri Modi went to Delhi as the National Secretary of the BJP and was given the charge of key north-Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP formed a Government in Himachal Pradesh on its own in 1998 and formed coalitions in Haryana (1996), Punjab (1997) and Jammu and Kashmir. His responsibility in Delhi gave Shri Modi the opportunity to work with leaders like Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Bansi Lal and Farooq Abdullah.
Shri Modi was entrusted with the role of General Secretary (Organisation), a very important position previously held by stalwarts like Sundar Singh Bhandari and Kushabhau Thakre. As the General Secretary (Organisation), his role in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha campaigns was key. The BJP became the single largest party in both polls and formed the Government under the leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
While in the organisation, Shri Modi groomed new leadership, encouraged young Karyakartas and also emphasized on usage of technology for campaigning.
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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.
