New Delhi, Feb 6 A group of 12 young men and women, dressed in white kurtas and blue jeans, singing "Kya hua tera vaada?", a popular old Bollywood song, at a street corner in Janakpuri was amusing for many.
But it's just a slice of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) poll micro engagement plan, which is focusing on street plays, small meetings, medium-sized rallies and roadshows, instead of huge extravagant rallies.
The BJP has adopted "go local" style of poll campaigning after drubbing in the 2015 Assembly elections, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) focused on smaller engagements, like "nukkad baithaks" and reaped rich political dividends.
Since January 12, such street plays are being performed in almost all Delhi districts by 14 groups. The aim is to reach out to around 50 lakh voters.
And the song Kya hua tera vaada is to remind people of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's promises of free WiFi and CCTVs and others.
Even roadshows have gone low-key. Former BJP chief Amit Shah's a roadshow for Hari Nagar candidate Tajinder Bagga, which started at Subhash Nagar, was a good example of that. It snaked through narrow roads with sweet shops, post offices and small garment showrooms on its sides. Shah also appeared much more approachable.
In fact, all roadshows, be it of new BJP chief J.P. Nadda, Delhi party chief Manoj Tiwari or present or former party Chief Ministers, were organised in that manner to maximise contact with people.
At several rallies, the number of participants were within hundred. In fact, these small meetings even upset a BJP Chief Minister. When he raised objections with the party he was redirected to another meeting. But there too just a few hundred people formed the audience.
"They are used to address big rallies. But our hands are tied. The idea is to hold small meetings or medium-sized rallies to let leaders engage directly with the audience," said a BJP insider.
The BJP has also gone back to its door-to-door campaign style. Most party MPs have been deputed to reach a voter's house to seek vote. Despite personal inconveniences, the party MPs are following the instructions as even Shah is making such door-to-door visits.
( With inputs from IANS )