BJP must strive to herald a 'New India', promote meritocracy: Amit Shah

Delivering what has been described as an "inspirational" address, BJP chief Amit Shah in his presidential speech to the party's National Executive on Monday urged leaders and workers to stand by PM Narendra Modi's agenda of 'Clean India' and strive to achieve a 'New India'. The BJP chief asserted that his party was committed to ushering in a 'New India' as envisioned by the Prime Minister and that the party firmly believes in promoting the "politics of performance" and would reject dynastic politics.

Briefing reporters, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "Our national president gave 'Muh tor Jawab (a befitting response)" to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on various issues flagged off by the latter during his series of lectures overseas lately. “The BJP is determined to negate the politics of dynasty – what Rahul Gandhi and Congress wants to give to the country,” Mr Goyal said quoting party chief. Mr Shah further said at the meeting attended among others by Mr Modi, Union Ministers, BJP veterans L K Advani and M M Joshi that his party "believes in a India wherein everyone and anyone can attain country's top positions sheer by merit".

The BJP president asserted that while BJP workers will not be cowed down by the politics of violence as unleashed by rivals in West Bengal and Kerala and maintained that in Kerala a Padyatra will be launched from October 3 to October 17 to "expose" the politics of Left parties. "The Lotus (BJP symbol) can certainly bloom in the mess created by the violent politics of rivals" he said. The BJP National Executive meet is being held coinciding with the birth centenary of Deendayal Upadhaya, the co-founder of Jan Sangh -the fore runner of BJP. It also comes on the eve of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. From November this year till the end of December 2018 -- the country will witness elections to as many as 10 state assemblies - starting with Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

In early 2018, elections are due in three northeastern states-- Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland-- while Congress-ruled Karnataka goes to polls in May 2018. In November-December 2018, polls ought to be held in Mizoram and three other key leaders - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The Prime Minister will address the valedictory session and is likely to dwell on issues confronted by his government like joblessness and decline in growth rate. The BJP president's speech and the deliberations at the national executive meeting was "inspirational" for the BJP workers, Mr Goyal said. The BJP chief urged party colleagues and workers to strive to achieve a 'New India' that will be fulfill Prime Minister's vision of ensuring a Clean India and an India that is free of poverty, corruption, terror, casteism, communalism and appeasement of none.

Mr Goyal also told reporters that the BJP is working on expanding the party and has added over 3.92 lakh new workers in recent past during the massive expansion plans - Vistarak Yojna - carried out by Mr Shah. The BJP plans to cover over 7.6 lakh booths in the country in the saffron party's expansion pans. Meanwhile, party sources said in a veiled attack on Congress, the BJP chief also said that, "Family connections and dynasty are virtues to launch career in Congress tradition".