PM Narendra Modi had a strong message for Pakistan.
The three-day National Council Meet of BJP began at Kozhikode in Kerala on Friday, with 1700 delegates including general secretaries, office bearers and key state leaders. BJP President Amit Shah chaired the meeting which held discussions to give final shape to a comprehensive pro-poor agenda of the party and the future Pakistan strategy.
The leaders have insisted that their ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay's concept of 'Antyodaya' (upliftment of the last man) will be key to their deliberations, which will also touch on the Uri terror attack that left 18 army men dead, the Kashmir unrest and other germane issues like state polls scheduled for next year and the GST.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Saturday, the second day of the three-day BJP National Council Meet. In his first public address since the deadly Uri attack, Modi said India would mount an all out offensive to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and expose its activities in exporting terror, killing of innocent people and spilling blood. "Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack. I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans will not go in vain," Modi said.
In his inaugural address at the party's National Council on Sunday, BJP president Amit Shah said, "The country is committed to giving a strong reply to this Pakistan-sponsored terrorism." He asserted that it was no less than a war crime if terrorism became part of a government's policy.
Modi on September 25 will inaugurate Upadhyay's birth centenary celebrations which will go on for over a year. The party leadership is also expected to deliberate over assembly polls in several states scheduled for early in 2017, including in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. BJP has been out of power in Uttar Pradesh for over 14 years and Shah has claimed that it will make a come back with two-third majority by trouncing formidable regional rivals like Samajwadi Party and BSP.
Here are some key moments from the meet.
(With agency inputs)
1. Arrival
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by Kerala-BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan at the airport in Kozhikode on Saturday. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
2. Welcome to the PM
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Narendra Modi being garlanded at a public rally in the sidelines of the BJP National Council Meeting. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
3. Sidebar
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Narendra Modi with BJP President Amit Shah at the public rally. Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's view that those responsible for the terror strike will surely be punished, Shah said the country is committed to giving a strong reply to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
4. Voiced
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Addressing the rally, Narendra Modi said,"Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. Humanitarians all over the world have to unite and condemn terror." (Photo courtesy - PTI)
5. Amit Shah on deck
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BJP National president Amit Shah addressing public rally.
"Terrorists have made 17 attempts to infiltrate across the border in the last eight months but our brave soldiers have foiled them. The Uri attack has been carried out due to this frustration. This is a long war which has been forced on us by our neighbour. Uri is only its transit destination and not the final outcome. The final victory will be ours," Amit Shah said.
(Photo courtesy - PTI)
6. Modi receives memento
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Narendra Modi receives a memento from BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan during the public rally.
Modi said he can see a lot of potential to make sure that the 21st century becomes Asia's 21st century, adding that all the countries in Asia are working for it, except one. "The question is not only about India, this one country is exporting terrorism everywhere. Wherever terrorism is happening across Asia, the affected nations are blaming it on only one nation. Whenever news about terrorism comes, news also comes that the terrorist came from there (Pakistan)," he added.
(Photo courtesy - PTI)
7. In support
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A massive crowd gathered during the BJPs public meeting at Kozhikode. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
8. People for change
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Thousands of people gathered at the first public address of Narendra Modi after the Uri attack to hear him speak about how India will retaliate. (Photo courtesy - Twitter/@SaanjuS)
9. Squad
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Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah at the flag hoisting ceremony at the BJP National Council Meet. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
10. Flag hoisting
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Narendra Modi hoists the flag as BJP National President Amit Shah and others look on at the BJP National Council meet in Kozhikode. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
11. Ushering in
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Artists perform to welcome delegates at BJP National Council meeting. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
12. A Kerala welcome
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BJP senior leader LK Advani is welcomed by a Kathakali dancer as he arrives at the inauguration of BJP National Council in Kozhikode. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
13. Reverence
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Narendra Modi folds his hands in respect to senior BJP leader LK Advani at the National Council Meet. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
14. Ceremonial
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Narendra Modi, BJP National President Amit Shah, senior leaders LK Advani, MM Joshi, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and others at the inauguration of BJP National Council. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
15. Introspection
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Narendra Modi sits pensively with the lotus, the symbol of BJP, beside LK Advani at the Meet. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
