PM Modi greets supporters as he arrives in Odisha, BJP’s national executive meet gets underway
The two-day BJP national executive meet gets underway in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah set their sights on unconquered territories ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The meet follows the BJP’s stunning election victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, besides securing enough support to form the governments in Manipur and Goa.
The choice of Odisha as the venue highlights Amit Shah’s belief that the party can build its prospects in the state due to anti-incumbency against BJD chief and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who has been in power since 2000. An impressive show by the BJP in recent local body polls in the state, and infighting within the BJD have boosted its morale.
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5.30 pm: The PM Modi, Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley and LK Advani have taken their place on stage. Mediapersons have been asked to leave as the party begins their meeting.
5.20 pm: PM Modi arrives at the meet’s venue and lights the lamp along with Amit Shah, finance minister Arun Jaitley and senior leader LK Advani. Vande Mataram is played to mark the start of the national executive meet.
5.00 pm: PM Modi gets down at the gate of the Raj Bhawan to greet onlookers and a few women leaders of the BJP. He shook hands with many before getting into the car again t o drive into the Odisha governor’s home.
4.50 pm: PM Modi tweets: “Landed in Odisha to a memorable welcome. Gratitude to the people for the warmth and enthusiasm.”
4.00 pm: Supporters throng the streets of Bhubaneshwar as Prime Minister Modi makes his way to the venue of the party meet from the airport. He leans out of his vehicle to wave and greet party workers, supporters.
