BJP to Hold ‘MODI’ Fests to Celebrate Three Years in Power

Seventy six Central ministers are all set to visit 900 venues over 20 days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: AP)

After a resounding victory in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is planning a fitting celebration to mark three years in office.

The celebrations will kickstart on 26 May with an army of 76 Central ministers who are all set to visit 900 venues over 20 days to inform the public of the work done by the BJP government since 2014, according to a report by NDTV.

After gaining power in 17 states, the BJP government is now planning to go all out to increase its political footprint.

Each BJP chief minister is likely to address four programmes, of which some will be held in a different state. Each Union minister is likely to participate in one programme in his or her constituency and another in another district. The focus of celebrations will be on how the government schemes have benefited the people.

A senior BJP central office-bearer to <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-planning-to-celebrate-3-years-of-narendra-modi-government-in-grand-way/articleshow/58583041.cms"><i>The Economic Times</i></a>

The event will be spearheaded by Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, with general secretary Arun Singh in charge of the party programmes, according to reports.

Expansion of Branding

The festivities will also focus on strengthening brand BJP. The centrepiece of the celebrations will be a series of festivals titled ‘MODI’ or ‘The Making of Developing India’.

The BJP is planning to hand out leaflets and booklets, bearing the title ‘Ab aur Tab’ or ‘Now and Then’, in an attempt to highlight the differences between this government and their UPA predecessors, NDTV reported.

With slogans such as ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ and ‘Mera Desh Badal Raha Hai’ becoming the mainstay of the BJP in the last year, this year’s celebrations are likely to witness the debut of another, though the exact phrase has not been confirmed.

A Push to Expand Political Influence?

Despite having control in several big states across the country, the BJP is looking to have a footing in southern states – an area where the party has been weak historically.

The BJP plans to accomplish this by expanding its celebrations to constituencies down south. On Monday, Amit Shah

Union Minister for chemicals and fertilizer H N Ananth Kumar told The Times of India that the good governance of PM Modi and strategy of party chief Amit Shah will ensure a BJP government in Karnataka. Shah himself is in Tamil Nadu to galvanise his political compatriots and strengthen the party organisation within the state.

Also Read: Amid Unrest in AIADMK, BJP Seeks Route Into Tamil Nadu Politics

A clear indication of this came in the 2014 general elections and will translate into reality in 2018.

H N Ananth Kumar