New Delhi, Jan 16, 2023, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT/ TT

New Delhi, Jan 16: BJP President JP Nadda Monday called upon party leaders and workers to leave no stone unturned to ensure BJP's victory in the upcoming assembly elections in nine states this year.

In his inaugural address on the first day of the party's 2-day National Executive Meeting here, Nadda also asked them to learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi the way he worked in the recently held Gujarat Assembly polls.

Briefing media about the meeting, senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted Nadda as saying that the BJP's victory in the Gujarat Assembly elections is historic and extraordinary.

Nadda said, 72,000 booths were identified in 100 Lok Sabha constituencies where the BJP was weak but the party has reached out to 1.30 lakh booths in the areas to strengthen the party base.

He talked about the Panch Pran given by the Prime Minister which includes freedom from traces of the colonial past, holding pride in the tradition of India, commitment to making a developed India, unity in diversity, and making citizens responsible towards the nation.

He highlighted the work culture of New India citing the example of the COVID vaccination programme which provided over 220 crore doses. 

The BJP president also remarked that India has become the fifth-largest economy in the world by surpassing the UK.

Prasad also informed that Nadda said, it is for the first time that the President of India has come from a tribal community adding that BJP has given respect to deprived sections of the society.

Earlier, ahead of the National Executive meeting, PM Modi held a roadshow from Patel Chowk to the meeting venue.

The two-day national executive will deliberate on key issues confronting the country and pass resolutions on economic, political and other affairs.

Besides, BJP's organisational matters will also come up for discussion along with the party's recent resounding victory in Gujarat assembly polls.

The party will chalk out its strategy for the upcoming State Assembly elections and the next Lok Sabha polls. The National Executive is also expected to extend the tenure of Nadda as the party president.

A mega exhibition based on six different themes including Good Governance First, Inclusive and Empowered India and Vishwa Guru Bharat has been organised at the meeting venue. 

Tomorrow, Prime Minister Modi will address the concluding session of the National Executive meeting.