BJP sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address many more rallies in Bihar than originally planned.
The BJP is redrawing its Bihar strategy and will
carpet-bomb the state with rallies addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after receiving reports that indicate a neck and neck finish with the Nitish Kumar-led "Grand Alliance" in the assembly elections.
The BJP also assesses that while Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent call for a review of the country's reservation policy has found resonance among Bihar's upper castes, seen as a BJP support base, it has also created apprehension among Dalits and backward castes, who benefit from affirmative action.
The rival camp has jumped at the opportunity, accusing the BJP of a plan to do away with reservation if it wins in Bihar. The RSS is the BJP's ideological mentor.
Dalits and backward castes have the numerical strength to dictate the mandate in Bihar and the BJP has allied with three parties who command their support. But the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Prasad-Congress coalition is seen to have an advantage in a caste-centric campaign.
With PM Modi's rallies, the BJP wants to shift the focus to his development agenda.
BJP sources said the PM is expected to address many more rallies in Bihar than originally planned - he may now hold 40 rallies, up from 30.
The party's special focus on Bihar, a must-win contest for the BJP, is indicated by the 40-odd rallies it is now pencilling in for the PM who has so far held five. He had addressed 24 rallies in 10 days in Maharashtra, 11 in eight days in Jharkhand and nine in 24 days in Jammu and Kashmir last year, all states where it formed government as a partner or alone.
In Delhi this year, the PM addressed five rallies in five days. It was crushed by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party.
Bihar votes in five phases starting Monday next. Votes will be counted on November 8.