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The central minister today launched the BJP's nationwide membership drive in the state today. BJP's Odisha in-charge and national coordinator of the party's membership drive, Arun Singh, has also arrived in the state for the purpose.
"The membership can be registered both online and also via missed calls on the toll free number", Javadekar said.
The minister said the BJP has improved its electoral performance in Odisha in the 2014 polls.
"Our party bagged 4.6 million votes in Odisha in 2014 polls compared to two million votes in the 2009 elections. The party also improved its tally in the Kandhamal by-poll", he said.
The BJP today held a preparatory meeting on its ambitious membership drive. The party has set target on having 10 per cent of the envisaged four million, as active members.
"After today's meeting, we will be visiting zones, blocks and the villages to enroll members for the party. Today's programme can be called a ceremonial launch of the membership drive in the state", said senior BJP leader and party's state spokesperson Suresh Pujari.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had formally launched the BJP's nationwide membership drive in New Delhi on November 1.
BJP general secretary J P Nadda on Friday claimed so far around 4.1 million people have registered themselves as members and the toll free number for membership was receiving 10,000 calls per second.
The party has decided to move beyond its initial plan of recruiting members through technology-enabled platforms like online registrations or 'missed calls'. The party is now trying to reach out to people directly to boost its membership drive.
Party workers will go to the villages, railway platforms, bus stands and other crowded places, informing people about the BJP's membership drive, BJP sources said.
Initially, people would be given primary membership. After continuing as a primary member for two years, one would be eligible for active membership. The membership drive would continue till March 31, 2015.
