LUCKNOW: With a host of ambitious projects like the Noida International Airport and Purvanchal Expressway being lined up for foundation laying and inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next month, the ruling BJP is all set to position itself to get into an an electoral groove to take on a belligerent opposition in the run-up to UP Assembly elections next year.
A senior government official told TOI that the two key projects are in their final stages of getting necessary clearances/ formally completed for being flagged off by the PM anytime next month. Sources said that additional chief secretary to CM Yogi Adityanath, SP Goyal, who also holds the charge of civil aviation, has been closely coordinating with the Centre and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) for fast-tracking the Noida airport.
Likewise, the UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), too, has pressed the accelerator for completion of the 340-km Purvanchal Expressway and getting it open for public use by August-end.
The green-flagging of the two projects, experts said, could well arm the BJP to counter the opposition which has been seeking to put the saffron party on the mat over developmental projects. This will also allow it to launch itself into a full-blown poll mode for the 2022 state elections.
The development coincides with the BJP refurbishing its frontal wings to step up the outreach amongst the SC/ST, OBC and women. BJP sources said that the party would soon be reconstituting its farmer frontal wing as well as the youth wing. Party sources said that the state leadership plans to further adjust senior party functionaries in the various boards and corporations, expectedly by August 15.
But while it expedites reconstitutions of organisational set up, the UP BJP is learnt to be treading cautiously over nomination of its candidates on four MLC seats which fell vacant on July 5. The nomination of MLCs will be done by Governor Anandiben Patel on the recommendation of CM Yogi Adityanath after due clearance by the state cabinet. Sources said that the state leadership has discussed the names of prospective candidates with the party high command before a final announcement is made in the next few days.
