Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah kicked off his “southern strategy” to strengthen the party by interacting with party workers in Hyderabad, calling upon them to go all out to strengthen the party.

Shah, who arrived here on Thursday afternoon on the first visit after taking over the reigns of the party, addressed a gathering of party workers at a function hall in Bowenpally. He would also attend a meeting of the state executive of the party. In the evening he would address a gathering of intellectuals and other prominent people.

Shah, whose strategy was credited for the massive win by the BJP in the recent general elections, will spend two days in the city and address another meeting, this time of village unit presidents from all over Telangana, and interact with the state leaders of the party on how to make the BJP a strong political force in the state.

“Amit Shahji will give us a road map on how to turn the party in to a formidable force. It is not going to be difficult given the fact that the party has workers in every village of Telangana,” said K. Lakshman, the party’s floorleader in Telangana assembly.

On arrival at Hyderbad airport, the state leaders and workers of the BJP gave a rousing reception to Amit Shah and took him in a procession. State BJP President G Kishan Reddy, national vice president Bandaru Dattatreya, senior leader K Lakshman, Ch Vidyasagar were among those who welcomed Shah.

Thursday’s meeting was focused on strengthening BJP in the state capital and gearing it up for the forthcoming elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), the traditional rival of the BJP controls the GHMC with the support of Congress. But MIM is likely to contest the election in a alliance with the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti.

State BJP President G. Kishan Reddy has given a call of “Majlis Hatao BJP Jitao” (remove Majlis and bring BJP) to the party cadres. “BJP is going to win the Mayor post of Hyderabad”, Kishan Reddy exuded confidence.

The discussion between Amit Shah and the state leaders was also likely to focus on the question of whether the BJP should continue its alliance with the TDP.

The issue assumes significance because the state BJP President and other leaders have been blaming the alliance with the “anti Telangana” TDP for its poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Party leaders feel that, despite supporting demands for aTelangana state and playing a key role in its formation at the centre by supporting Telangana Bill in Parliament, the party failed to do well in the polls because of its alliance with the TDP which was seen as anti-Telangana force in the region.

BJP was also focusing its attention on the by-elections to the Medak Lok Sabha seat vacated by the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

With the election commission issuing the notification for the September 13 by election, BJP like other parties was scouting for a strong winning candidate.

The name of BJP state President G. Kishan Reddy was doing rounds as a possible candidate.

But party sources said Shah would take a decision based on his famous caste matrix of the constituency.

Party sources said that the party was likely to woo some important figures to join the party ranks. The name of actress and former MP Vijayashanti was also doing the rounds.

Along with Congress Amit Shah was also likely to target the ruling TRS and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

The party has already started attacking the KCR regime describing its performance over the last two-and-a-half month as unimpressive.

BJP was also finding fault with the TRS over its friendship with the MIM and its policy of reservation for Muslims.