RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Sept.10: Ranchi Mayor Asha Lakra will soon be playing her role in West Bengal politics as the BJP, the party with which she is associated as a national secretary, has appointed her co-in-charge of the state in organisational reshuffling done yesterday by party national president J.P.Nadda.
A day after her appointment, Lakra, a firebrand tribal leader who never allowed bureaucrats to work in an autocratic manner in her presence at Ranchi Municipal Corporation, informed this to Lagatar24.com saying it was a great opportunity for her that the party had given such a big responsibility to her.
“West Bengal has always been a challenging state for the BJP. I am happy that the party has found me able enough to create possibilities in the face of challenge. I will not let the party down and prove the party’s decision right,” Lakra said.
Asked about the goal ahead, Lakra said 200 assembly seats of the BJP in West Bengal.
“There were only three BJP legislators in West Bengal. Party workers in the state took it to 70 by their effort. Now targeting the 2024 parliamentary election, I will play my proactive role to take to 200,” Lakra, who started her political career as an ABVP worker and did not see behind.
Asked about the challenges she anticipates, Lakra said that it can be said only after she will assess the ground.
“Once I will be on ground zero, I will be able to share the actual challenge. I have started contacting my party workers in the state and started taking their feedback. I think I will be able to play my role there,” Lakra said.
Lakra first contested Ranchi Mayor’s elections in 2014 and then in 2018, and won both times. Between 1999-2010, she held several positions in the Student Wing of the BJP; College Secretary, National Secretary, Organisation Secretary in Ranchi University, Syndicate Member and National Executive Member.
In 2010, she became the National Secretary, Women’s Wing of the BJP in Central minister Smriti Irani’s team and was the in-charge for Delhi and West Bengal.
