BJP to Blow Poll Conch - Top Leaders to Meet in Bangalore
DHNS
Bangalore, Sep 12: With elections to six state legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha round the corner, issues that find a rapport with voters top the agenda at the three-day national executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commencing in Bangalore on Friday.
Top BJP leaders, including its prime ministerial candidate L K Advani, BJP National President Rajnath Singh arrived in Bangalore on Thursday evening ahead of the National Executive.
In his inaugural address Rajnath Singh is expected to launch a scathing attack on the UPA government for failing to control the spiralling prices and terrorism.
Several resolutions on the political and economic situation in the country, internal security and the Indo-US nuclear deal will be passed at the meeting to be attended by a total of 245 members including the chief ministers of seven BJP ruled states, four deputy chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, central office-bearers, special invitees and presidents from the state units of the party among others. The conclave will also chalk out statewise blueprints for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
The BJP will utilise the platform to mull over the feedback provided by state units.
BJP National Vice-President Mukthar Abbas Naqvi told reporters in Bangalore that the venues for the 150 countrywide Vijay Sankalp (Pledge for victory) rallies and yatras by Advani and Rajnath Singh, will also be finalised during the conclave.
New possibilities
The possibilities of winning new allies for the BJP-led NDA coalition will also be explored. The party is expected to finalise the modalities of a campaign "to expose" how the Manmohan Singh government has surrendered national interest for a "shallow victory" in the nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Advani and Rajnath Singh received a rousing welcome by a huge gathering of party cadres at the Bengaluru International Airport on his arrival from New Delhi. BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda received Advani.
Dispelling notion
Speaking from a makeshift platform Advani termed the BJP coming to power in the state as a turning point in the political history of the country.
"The people here have dispelled the notion that the BJP is a party confined to the northern states," he said. Yeshwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh and Arun Jaitley also arrived on Thursday. As many as 80 delegates including the seven chief ministers are scheduled to arrive on Friday morning. The meeting hall of the national executive has been named after RSS leader the late Jagannath Rao Joshi. Known for his oratory, Joshi was instrumental in spreading the ideology of the Jana Sangh and later the BJP.
The Agenda
- Friday: Welcome to delegates and inaugural address, (11:55 am); presentation of reports by state presidents, organisational matters and discussion on booth committees
- Saturday: Passing of political resolutions; strategy for assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Vijay Sankalp rally at National College Grounds (6:30 pm)
- Sunday: Discussion on party affairs; concluding remarks and valedictory address