Lucknow: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will hold a series of workers’ conventions across Uttar Pradesh Assembly constituencies from next week as it steps up preparations for the forthcoming state elections.The first convention is scheduled for June 22 in the Ayodhya Assembly constituency, followed by a programme on June 23 in Akbarpur in Ambedkarnagar district. A similar convention will be held in Azamgarh Assembly constituency thereafter, party leaders said.BSP state president Vishwanath Pal said the gatherings are aimed at mobilising cadres at the booth and sector levels while signalling that the party has moved into election mode.Senior leaders, including Pal and constituency in-charges appointed by the party, will attend the meetings. In several constituencies, the in-charges are also likely to be the party’s candidates, making the conventions an occasion to formally introduce them to voters.“We are expecting a crowd of at least 25,000 to 30,000 workers in Ayodhya and Akbarpur,” Pal said, adding that while organisational meetings have been taking place for some time, the presence of senior leaders will make the upcoming conventions more significant.A party insider said such meetings are intended to convey that instructions from the leadership must be implemented with focus and determination on the ground. BSP national president Mayawati has repeatedly stressed in internal meetings the need to consolidate the party’s existing vote base in the state and expand it further. Leaders said energising local workers is central to that strategy, and the upcoming conventions are being positioned as a key step toward it.
