Allahabad: With an eye on the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national executive will begin its two-day meet here tomorrow which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah among others
Senior members of the Union Cabinet, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and members of Parliament will take part in the meet, which is likely to set the agenda for the Assembly elections in the state which are less than a year away
"I would have called it as sounding the poll bugle for UP assembly polls but for PM Modi's rally in Saharanpur last month
"Nevertheless, Allahabad has been the state's political epicentre and the place where stalwarts ranging from Jawaharlal Nehru to VP Singh have learnt their ropes. And a party meeting organised here will certainly have a catalytic effect on our efforts to bring about political change in Uttar Pradesh," says BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh, who has been camping in the city since Thursday
Shah, at a recent rally on the outskirts of the city, had stated "if there is one state which is responsible for helping the BJP get a majority in Parliament, it is UP" while party vice-president and in-charge for the state Om Mathur had said "many issues would be discussed at the national executive but the main focus would obviously be on the UP assembly polls due next year"
Enthusiasm is palpable among party foot soldiers as for the first time since its establishment three decades ago, the BJP has chosen the city for holding its national executive
Almost all the streets and roundabouts are dotted with billboards or posters welcoming Modi and other leaders to the city and exhorting residents to turn out in huge numbers for the rally which will be held on Monday, immediately after the conclusion of the meeting.
