New Delhi:
The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national executive will adopt its political resolution today, which will chart a new course for the party. This was indicated by the party's new president Nitin Gadkari. (
In Pics: BJP's Indore conclave)
The BJP appears to be singing a new tune quite literally. The party president has departed from the traditional line on the Ram Janam Bhoomi temple. Gadkari has reached out to Muslims on the issue.
He has also signalled shift in party stance on Article 370 and Dalits. (
Read: Gadkari's pro-Dalit course correction for BJP)
Today is the final day of the BJP national executive meet in Indore. Political resolution will be introduced around 11 am on Friday.
BJP President Nitin Gadkari is expected to visit artisans in the morning. A public meeting of the party has been organised in the evening.
Earlier on Thursday, the BJP after its amendment in party's constitution to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in all party posts, it carried out another amendment increasing the number of women in cadre posts.
As against 27 office bearers till now, after the new amendment to the BJP constitution at the National Council Thursday, there will be 39 office bearers. Of these, 13 will be women and three will be from SC/STs.
The total strength of the National Executive has also been increased from 80 to 120. The number of women in this body will be 40 now.
The new amendment has been made to keep the number of men office bearers intact while appointing more women to meet the 33 per cent criteria.
In 2008, BJP amended its constitution to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in its cadre posts. However, it has not given reservation to women in the selection of candidates for elections to Parliament or state assemblies.
After Thursday's amendment, which was moved by vice president Bal Apte, the number of general secretaries will go up from seven to 10. This includes a general secretary (organisation) who represents the RSS in the party.
The number of vice-presidents and secretaries will also change but the party did not specify the number.
When the reservation was not in force the strength of women office-bearers was much less compared to the men office-bearers. But now the total strength itself will rise to 80 in the National Executive when this was the total number earlier.