This choice of venue for the party's national council was also made keeping in mind the significance of Calicut in the life of Upadhyay, who had then spoken of Jan Sangh's growing potential to give an alternative to Congress.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks from Kozhikode launching the birth centenary celebrations of BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay, it could be relayed on special screens in assemblies across the country.
The BJP is trying to familiarise people in all corners of the country with its icon, who was elected Bharatiya Jan Sangh President, in the Calicut Session on September 25, 1967. The party is exploring the idea of having special screens put up in the over 4000 assembly segments to air Modi's address before nearly 2000 BJP leaders who will gather in the city for the party conclave beginning on September 23, party sources said.
This choice of venue for the party's national council was also made keeping in mind the significance of Calicut in the life of Upadhyay, who had then spoken of Jan Sangh's growing potential to give an alternative to Congress.
Incidentally, it was also the last session Upadhyay attended. The concluding session of the party's national council on September 25 will coincide with the beginning of the year-long centenary celebrations.
As part of its efforts to project Upadhyay, another icon outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, the party is also likely to put up his bust in various districts of the country. This will be part of the infrastructure plans for which 80 per cent funds will be used from the Rs 100 crore budgetary allocation made by government for the centenary celebrations. "Deendayalji was a simple man. We are trying to create more awareness about his life," said culture minister Mahesh Sharma.
A panel comprising the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the culture minister on the centenary celebrations has received around 200 proposals from states, some of which may be accepted.
The BJP is expected to focus on Upadhyay's theme of antyodaya at the Kozhikode conclave. While Modi is expected to be in the city for 26 hours, the other party leaders will be present all through the three-day conclave.
Having opened its account in Kerala during the recent assembly elections, the BJP is now setting its eyes on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when it is hoping to gain ground. The BJP has so far never won a Lok Sabha seat in the state.
With Kerala lacking the experience and knowledge of Hindi to deal with the delegates, the state unit has organised Hindi classes. The party leadership has informed that around 600-700 volunteers would be required for the conclave. The state unit is looking for delegates outside the state including from the Middle East, where several Keralites are settled. "We are holding Hindi classes to acquaint our workers with the language so they can communicate with the delegates who will be coming from all parts of the country," said V Muralidharan, a party leader from Kerala.
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