Jaipur: With Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) under administrative rule and civic elections likely later this year, BJP councillors are planning a ward-wise outreach network to stay connected with residents and address local issues.Under the proposal, party councillors will divide responsibility for all 150 wards following delimitation and act as designated contact points for grievances. The move aims to maintain public engagement during the interim period while strengthening the party’s grassroots presence.“The move is aimed at maintaining public engagement during the interim period while strengthening BJP’s grassroots presence. We will take up the issue with the leadership of the party’s city unit,” said a sitting councillor, requesting anonymity.JMC (Greater) deputy mayor Puneet Karnawat said he is receiving significantly more complaints now than during his tenure in office, as residents continue to approach elected representatives despite the administrative setup.“This is because under the administrative regime people are still looking forward to elected representatives for solutions. Post-merger, the number of complaints increased. The problem being you need leaders whom the officials will listen to, even if he or she is no longer an elected representative. Under these circumstances, if the ruling party selects a list of sitting councillors, the officials will take up their issues seriously,” Karnawat said.Party leaders believe the strategy will also help expand outreach in wards represented by Congress.“With elections expected in seven to eight months, this can help us directly reach residents, even in wards that elected Congress councillors in 2021. This can be a good public outreach programme for us,” another councillor said.
