Now, BJP president starts austerity drive

Indore: When the new BJP president said his party colleagues should stop buying him bouquets and donate money to farmers instead, partymen dismissed it as a whim.

But Nitin Gadkari means business, and this year BJP members will have to forego the luxuries of 5-star resorts. When the party's conclave meets to brainstorm in Indore next month, it will be in tents pitched on an open field.

The chief has spoken and for the moment everyone's falling in line.

"We've decided to organise the meet in tents. I don't understand what the fuss is all about," said Ravi Shankar Prasad, Spokesperson, BJP.

Sources close to Gadkari say the change is necessary and leaders spending time at resorts like this would bring back memories of the India shining campaign that boomeranged badly on the party.

But not everyone's happy. They say preparing tents for 5000 people won't be cheap. There are hygiene issues and security is a big concern but other say it's time to go back to the basics.

"There will be no five-star tents. Workers and leaders will all stay together," said Amit Thakkar, BJYM President.

Whichever side of the fence they're on, BJP leaders are getting prepared to rough it out.