Busy days ahead for BJP, Modi
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is expected in the national capital for the first time on April 7 after his induction into the Parliamentary Board. He will attend a meeting of Chief Justices of various High Courts and Chief Ministers “to discuss various socio-legal problems facing the country”.
On that day, the BJP has called for a full-fledged office-bearers’ meeting. Party headquarters in-charge O P Kohli said invites had already been sent to the office-bearers. Since Modi is a Chief Minister and a Parliamentary Board member, and not an office-bearer, he is not expected at the meeting.
On April 5, the party Central Election Committee “will meet to discuss and finalise Karnataka election candidates,” Kohli added. There’s no clarity on whether Modi, who is also an Central Election Committee member, would be able to attend the meet.
On the occasion of BJP’s Foundation Day on April 6, a mega function has been planned in Gandhinagar where BJP president Rajnath Singh is expected. The function, to be attended by the state Chief Minister, will also felicitate Rajnath for his new innings as party president.
Meanwhile, Rajnath, on his arrival in Maharashtra for a two-day visit to drought-hit areas of Aurangabad and Jalna districts, rose to Modi’s defence and said: “He has been made a member of the BJP’s Parliamentary Board as he is the most popular Chief Minister today.” Asked why he had not appointed Modi in the Board during his previous tenure as the party chief, Singh said: “Decisions were always based on public feedback, even the decision to include him in the Parliamentary Board.”
The BJP trashed the Congress criticism of Modi for his ascension to the apex party committee.
On Union Minister Kapil Sibal’s comments that “Modi’s induction into the Parliamentary Board posed a challenge to the main Opposition,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: “The Congress is finding it difficult to come to terms with these appointments. Sibal is a disappointed man. His remarks are not worth reacting to.” “Narendra Modi is the senior-most Chief Minister of the BJP and has achieved top success in his state. He is the most popular leader in the BJP. He has become an icon of non-corrupt good governments,” Javadekar said.