Mission 2014: Know all about NaMo's “chai pe charcha” campaign

New Delhi, Jan 30:

's prime ministerial candidate

's humble background of being a tea vendor has now became his USP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2014.

Starting from February 1 in Gandhinagar in Gujarat, Modi will hold live interaction with people at 1,000 tea stalls across 300 parliamentary constituencies using the Internet and DTH technology.

Direct interaction with voters

"Modi will interact with people at 1,000 tea shops across 300 cities from February 1 through internet and DTH (Direct To Home). He will discuss basic issues with them," a member related to the campaign management team of BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate said.

Modi will address five 'nukkad' meetings - 'Chai pe charcha with NaMo' - a day with tea vendors. Common people will be able to discuss their issues with him via video conference.

Sources said that Modi's interactive sessions will follow a ‘share-ask-suggest' format.

NaMo tea stalls in Bangalore

In Karnataka, the BJP has planned for 200 NaMo tea stalls, to intensify the general election campaigns.

In Bangalore, the BJP volunteers have set up tea stalls like "Narendra Modi Chai Point" in various areas at just Re 1.

"Not more than Re 1 will be taken from customers. This tea experiment will be done in other parts of the state and through this, we will connect with voters," Anil Chalageri, a BJP functionary told TOI.

According to Bangalore Mirror report, "the idea came in the aftermath of the protest against Congress MP and former minister Manishankar Iyer's bitter comment on Modi's original profession", BJP sources were quoted as saying.

Modi will be able to interact with 2 lakh people directly every week.

In December last year, BJP gave VIP passes to around 10,000 roadside tea vendors in Mumbai to hear Modi's rally.

Modi's "tea-plomacy" with the voters may serve to be a final answer to all the jibes and barbs he has received from his opponents.

Tea industry 'elated' with Modi's tea campaign

Amid Modi's "tea-election campaigns", tea industry is also brimming with joy because 'chai-campigns' will give an instant boost to the humble tea that otherwise faces a stiff competition with royal coffee.

According to an ET report, "Modi's campaign comes at a time when the Indian tea production has crossed the 1,180 million kg in 2013 - up by 55 million kg from 2012."

Modi to reach out to masses over a cup of tea

According to another report, the tea campaign will be organised every week ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. With this campaign, Modi will reportedly be able to interact with 2 lakh people directly every week.

BJP president Rajnath Singh, Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh will also be a part of the "NaMo tea stall election campaign".

OneIndia News