BJP's master strategist Amit Shah arrives in Mumbai to set poll game plan

Going against the tradition of party biggies going on tour only towards the last leg of campaigning, BJP chief Amit Shah arrives in the city today to meet the state's party workers in order to gauge the ground level situation and chalk out a strategy.

The state BJP has decided to go all guns blazing right from the start for the upcoming assembly elections. Shah will be meeting the party's core committee members in a symbolic move that is aimed at pumping enthusiasm into local leaders.

State leaders are looking at Shah's visit as a source of strength, and are hoping the visit will all uncertainty regarding the next step in election campaigning.

"Amit Shah is among a handful of BJP leaders whose commands party workers respect across the country. Considering his name is taken after prime minister Narendra Modi in the party and also on the national level, his visit will build confidence amongst the cadres," said a BJP leader.

Amit Shah is expected to look at report cards prepared by the observers who have visited the 120 plus assembly constituencies across the state. These report card will be instrumental in deciding the fate of the candidates. Shah will meet core committee members at Vinod Tawde's residence at Vile Parle and in the evening will address party workers at Shanmukhanand Hall in Matunga.

"Amit Shah is the accepted face amongst the Gujarati community as well as North Indians. BJP followers in Maharashtra have also accepted his leadership considering his professional approach to new challenges. His ideology and thinking always revolve around success," said a senior leader.

Meeting Uddhav not on cards?
Sources say Shah will not meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray during his visit on Thursday. "The visit is strictly on a party level and has nothing to do with the alliance partnership. However, both the leaders will have to meet in some time next week once our first list is ready. We want 15 seats more and the party seems in no mood for further negotiations," said a senior BJP functionary.

Party sources claimed that the morale of cadres is very high and in few parts of the state it is even rebellious. "When Shiv Sena was in a strong position they have had tough negotiations with Atalji and Advaniji and had increased their share of seats from 26 to 32," said a leader.

Now, the position has been reversed. The BJP is no more on the receiving end.