The two-day RSS-BJP strategy meet set the agenda for the party to prepare manifestos for the upcoming Assembly and 2014 elections, but didn’t discuss the prime ministerial candidate issue, according to party sources.
On Monday at the end of the meeting, though the RSS’ publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya told reporters that declaring Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP’s PM nominee wasn’t on the agenda, party sources hinted that a decision could be taken within a few days after the parliamentary board meeting scheduled for next week.
The board has members such as L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj who are still opposed to Modi’s candidature.
Talking about the proceedings of co-ordination meet, Vaidya said everyone gave suggestions and they would be incorporated into the BJP manifesto. The Chief Ministers of the BJP-ruled states could implement some of the suggestions in their states, he added. BJP president Rajnath Singh briefed the leaders about the poll preparations and how the party intends to face the elections.
Earlier at the meeting, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi flagged issues related to the economic situation in the country and suggested the way forward.
Talking about issues raised by other leaders, Vaidya said former BJP president Nitin Gadkari spoke about issues like the Ram temple and the abrogation of Article 370. He also enlightened the participants about the issues of protection of cows and the Ganga.
Senior leader Venkaiah Naidu talked about agriculture, while Sushma Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, raised issues related to women, youths and caste. Arun Jaitley, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, spoke about the internal, external security situation and neighbouring countries.
After the meeting, the focus has shifted back to Modi, who will be addressing a series of public meetings across the country. On Tuesday, he will address a rally in Jaipur, and hold a rally of ex-servicemen at Rewari on September 15, where former Army Chief V K Singh will share the stage with him. These will be followed by rallies in Bhopal(September 25), Kochi (September 26) and Delhi (September 29).