The two-day BJP national executive meeting began in Bhubaneswar today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah looking to underline strategy for a big saffron push in states like Odisha where it has traditionally been weak.
The executive meets against the backdrop of the party’s stunning win in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand besides maiden conquest in Manipur. It will focus on expanding the party in politically important states like West Bengal and Odisha, which are key to Shah’s 2019 Lok Sabha poll strategy.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who is on a two-visit to Bhubaneswar for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive meeting said this meet can prove to be a milestone in the upcoming elections of Odisha.
Singh said, “I am noticing zeal and vigour in the BJP workers of Odisha. This meeting can prove to be a milestone in the upcoming elections of Odisha.” Singh further said the BJP will take all steps that are in the best interest of the people of Odisha.
About 350 people, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, union ministers, Chief Ministers of 13 BJP-ruled states including UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will attend the meeting.
The leaders will discuss the BJP’s strategy to increase the party’s political footprint ahead of the 2019 general elections, while eyeing the 2019 Odisha state elections.
The choice of Odisha as the national executive venue highlights Shah’s focus on the state as he believes that the party can boost its prospects here due to anti-incumbency against BJD chief and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who has been in power since 2000, and declining fortunes of the Congress.
An impressive show by the BJP in recent local body polls in the state, and internal fights in the BJD have boosted its morale.
Meanwhile, PM Modi arrived in Bhubaneshwar at around 3:30 PM today and is holding a road show to the venue. Veteran leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi will also be a part of the executive at the Odisha capital’s Janata Maidan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, however, will skip the event due to health reasons.
