BJP targets Gen Z voters with new outreach plan; Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, Vinod Tawde part of special team

BJP Focusses on Gen Z

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday decided to focus on Gen Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — as a new voter group, kick-starting an extensive outreach to the youth. At the first meeting of the new team constituted under BJP president Nitin Nabin, the party formed a special team of leaders to lead the effort. Headed by Nabin, the team includes general secretaries Vinod Tawde and Smriti Irani, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, Chhattisgarh Minister OP Chowdhary, and a few other leaders.

The outreach aims to understand the aspirations, concerns, and expectations of Gen Z while providing a platform for young people to engage directly with BJP leaders and share their views. The Economic Times reported that the outreach aims to understand youth aspirations, concerns, and expectations. The Tribune added that the team will factor in youth concerns and consider policy responses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later met the newly appointed national office-bearers, describing organizational meetings as an opportunity for “new ideas and perspectives” aimed at strengthening the party and deepening its connect with the people, as reported by The Economic Times.

The meeting started with recitation of all six stanzas of the national song 'Vande Mataram', according to the same report.

Vande Mataram Resolution

In addition to the youth outreach, the meeting passed a resolution condemning the August 19 Congress Working Committee decision to sing only two stanzas of the national song at party programmes. The resolution affirmed that the BJP will not accept any compromise over the honour of the national song for political convenience or appeasement, and will not allow the opposition party to “divide” or “tamper” with the national song, as reported by The Economic Times.

The Tribune added that the resolution invoked Mahatma Gandhi to frame Vande Mataram as an “anti-imperialist cry” that represents the national consciousness. The Tribune also reported that the BJP will mount a pan-India offensive against the Congress on the issue of Vande Mataram ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa. Nitin Nabin was quoted as saying the party would “expose the Congress for truncating the national song and mobilise people especially the youth on the issue”.

Seva Sankalp Abhiyan

Vinod Tawde, addressing a press conference after the meeting, announced details of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' planned to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Modi's public life. The month-long campaign will run from September 17 to October 17, and will include a 'Seva Setu Abhiyaan' and outreach to 14 lakh anganwadi workers, focusing on schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Awas Yojana, according to The Tribune and The Economic Times.

In addition to the campaign, The Tribune reported two more initiatives for youth: the launching of a “National Innovation Challenge” to promote research, and “Sewa Mein Mera Yogdan”, a campaign to encourage youngsters to participate in national initiatives such as cleanliness and fitness, including posting related social media reels.

Opposition Criticizes Outreach

The BJP's Gen Z outreach drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who described it as an attempt to appease the youth. DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan told IANS that the party has understood that the “youth are against them”, citing the Cockroach Janta Party's protest and other youth agitations. He said, “The youth raise certain important issues and all those things will go against this government. They have understood that they cannot win next time. That is why they want to somehow appease the youth.”

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha remarked that forming committees itself indicates postponing the issue, and urged the government to understand the youth's message. “They want a better education system. They need a concrete blueprint and assurance for employment both of which are outside the committee's authority,” he said.

TMC MP Saugata Roy said: “Gen Z has no faith in the BJP.” Defending the outreach, BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh said the party is continuously trying to engage and work with the Gen Z. He emphasized that PM Modi has instructed party leaders to visit universities, interact with students, take their feedback, and share it with the government. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal added that PM Modi was the first to call India a nation of youth, and also work to highlight Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' initiative where he interacts with students during exam periods.