Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar for the BJP National Executive.
The BJP's two-day national executive meeting was held at Bhubaneswar in Odisha today. About 350 people, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, union ministers, Chief Ministers of 13 BJP-ruled states including UP CM Yogi Adityanath, attended the meet. The leaders will discussed the BJP's strategy to increase the party's political footprint ahead of the 2019 general elections, while eyeing the 2019 Odisha state elections.
BJP chief, Amit Shah, will undertake an extensive nationwide tour of 95 days till September, 2017, said IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, post the national meet. Quoting the party chief, the minister further said that BJP will become a pan-India party, winning Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh next.
Veteran leader LK Advani was also a part of the executive at the Odisha capital's Janata Maidan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, however, skipped the event due to health reasons.
Here are latest updates on BJP's National Executive meet in Odisha:
"When we won in 2014, they said BJP has reached its peak. The same was said in 2017. But the BJP chief said that the party is yet to hit its peak. We have 13 Chief Ministers in the country. We want every state to have a BJP/NDA chief minister. We want PM Modi to win a second term in 2019. BJP chief said that we make will BJP a pan India party- from panchayat to parliament. BJP will win Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh next," said the minister.
He added, "BJP chief said we must work toward fulfilling PM Modi's idea of New India and work for development. We discussed the various issues plaguing Odisha."
"BJP rules most of the states in the country. But there are many states where we need to do well. BJP chief (Amit Shah) said that we need to work toward this. The BJP working committee members will devote 15 days for this purpose. They will meet party workers. BJP chief will undertake an extensive nationwide tour of 95 days," he said, further adding, "BJP chief condemned the violence against party workers in Kerala and West Bengal. He will spend 3 days in Kerala."
BJP chief, Amit Shah, will undertake an extensive nationwide tour of 95 days till September, this year, said Mr Prasad.
"Opposition leaders find an excuse for their defeat. In 2004 and 2009, when the UPA won, there was no issue with EVM. When BSP and SP won in UP, there was no issue with EVM. When Akali-BJP coalition lost in Punjab and AAP won in Delhi, there was no issue with EVM. Questioning EVMs is questioning the EC," said the Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
"Winning 325 of the 403 seats proves that the people of UP are with the BJP. The UP result is a rejection of the politics of casteism and nepotism. The people have trusted the politics of development," said Mr Prasad.
"Because of his connect with the people and the trust people have on him, Amit Shah said that PM Modi is the most popular leader since independence." says Mr Prasad.
IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing press conference on the BJP national executive meet in Bhubaneswar.
PM Modi lights the lamp at the meet venue as top BJP leaders LK Advani, Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley look on.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches the venue of BJP National Executive Meet.
"After 2014 elections, BJP has found support base across the country, but not in Odisha. We have to strengthen the party in this state. In democracy, regional parties have their own strengths and they are with us. People of Odisha has reposed their credibility and confidence on PM Modi," state BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan told NDTV earlier today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets:
BJP chief Amit Shah starts addressing the national party meet in Bhubaneswar.
PM Modi is headed to Janata Maidan, the venue of the National Executive.
PM Modi gets off his Range Rover SUV, walks up to the crowd and greets his supporters.
Crowds greet PM Modi at his roadshow in Bhubaneswar.
PM Modi arrives in Bhubaneswar for the National Executive.
Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said, "After last five victories we will try to prepare for next elections. We will keep people's trust in us."
BJP is planning receptions for PM Modi at several places on his way from Bhubaneswar airport to the Raj Bhawan, where he will stay tonight.
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said, "I am witnessing so much vigor in BJP's workers of Odisha. This meeting can be proven as a milestone in the upcoming election of Odisha."
BJP office-bearers are finalising the agenda of the executive meeting.
BJP National Executive begins in Bhubaneswar. PM Modi expected to reach the venue by 5:00 PM.
BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav told news agency ANI,"We are going to discuss about the strategy for 2019 general & state elections. It's an important meet." He said, "We have performed very well in Odisha & our
karyakartas requested us, that's why we are conducting the meet here."
The stage is set. Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik's 40-feet-long artwork at the venue Janta Maidan in Bhubaneswar.