Politics may not be in vogue among professionals, but this politician-cum-fashion designer — a strange blend — is ready with her political designs to help BJP win over the youth votebank this general elections. Daughter of the former sheriff of Mumbai, Nana Chudasama, Shaina NC was in the city on Sunday. In interview with  Jumana Shah, Shaina NC expresses confidence on sweeping the Lok Sabha polls. Excerpts:

What brings you to Ahmedabad?
As a part of the campaign to draw first-time neutral voters into the BJP fold, all the youth icons of the BJP will campaign extensively in Gujarat. My visit is the first in this series of campaign.
 
Is this focus on the youth in response to Youth Congress's recruitment drive propelled by Rahul Gandhi?
No, actually the focus on youth is part of a well-planned multi-pronged strategy by all political parties to rope in the young first-time voters. A systematic study conducted by the BJP's national team highlights four-five states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Tamil Nadu, where youngsters are a significant votebank.

What will be BJP's youth programmes like?
Reaching out to the youth through public rallies and talking to them from a podium like a neta is not enough anymore. We have to connect to them directly through the issues that concern them or they are not interested. We will reach out through musical and cultural programmes.
When we interact with the youth, they don't ask us about partition, they have more relevant questions about public and financial policies, recession and jobs. Youngsters ask about Modi. What will happen tomorrow? They are also concerned by terrorism to some extent.
We will be visiting several college campuses - nearly 300 have been identified by the central committee comprising senior leaders. Details of the campaign are still being worked out.

What has been your experience with the youth in Gujarat vis-à-vis other states?
In Gujarat, the youth is more proactive. In other places, to strike a conversation with students I had to give fashion tips; but not in Gujarat. Here, they ask direct questions, which shows that they are thinking while talking. They don't take things simply as it is laid out to them.

Gujarat is already seen as a BJP stronghold. Then why undertake such hectic campaigning for the party here, where Modi is already so strong?
Like I said, Gujarat has been identified as one of the states that have a substantial youth votebank and neutral first-time voters who need to be roped in. BJP is not concerned about Rahul's campaigning here; he campaigned in UP, but nothing much came of it.

Shaina NC
Fashion designer-cum-politician
In Gujarat, the youth is more proactive. In other places, to strike a conversation with students I had to give fashion tips; but not here.”

Jumana Shah/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication