NDA 'celebrates' at Amit Shah's dinner

Riding on a high note after exit poll predictions, BJP president Amit Shah hosted a grand dinner for the NDA partners at Delhi's plush Ashoka Hotel. While most saw the dinner, coming two days ahead of the counting, as a victory celebration in advance, it is also being looked as a strategy session to ensure the NDA stock remains together in case of any surprise results and to cobble up support of more partners if needed.

The dinner came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah met all the central ministers, including those from NDA partners, at the BJP headquarters in Delhi to thank them for their work during the last five years.

"I have seen many elections but this one was beyond politics. The public was fighting them. I have campaigned in assembly elections and undertaken political tours for the party in different elections. When I toured during these polls, it seemed that I was on a pilgrimage," the PM was quoted as saying at the meet that was christened Aabhar Milan (expressing gratitude).

Shah also congratulated the "Team Modi Sarkar" for their hard work and "remarkable achievements" in the last five years. "Let us keep the momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi," he said.

The dinner that began at 7:30 pm was attended by almost all NDA leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray and his son from Shiv Sena. The guest list included BJP's Punjab ally, Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan and his son Chirag Paswan, AIADMK's E Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam. Apna Dal leaders Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale were also there.

It was followed dinner by a meeting that began after nearly two dozen allies facilitated PM Modi with a shawl. The PM went on to meet top bureaucrats from key ministries after the dinner.

Sources said the Prime Minister is believed to have taken feedback on various issues, including about the state of the economy, from the bureaucrats.

This is possibly the first time that Modi convened a meeting of top bureaucrats from key ministries after announcement of dates of general elections in March.

PM Meets Babus

• PM Modi Tuesday night held a meeting with top bureaucrats from key ministries, sources said. 
• There was no official word about the agenda of the meeting, held ahead of LS poll results
• The PM is believed to have taken feedback on issues, including state of the economy, said sources