BJP national executive to discuss preparations for assembly polls

The two-day BJP national executive beginning on Saturday will discuss the current political scenario, including the debate on "nationalism", while special focus is expected for the party's preparations in four major states going to the polls in April-May.

The meeting, the first since Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah assumed office for a full three-year term earlier this year, will begin with his speech and will culminate with an address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Of the poll-bound states, BJP has high stakes in Assam where it is making a serious bid to come to power. It is also seeking to improve its performance in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The party is expected to comment in its political resolution on AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi's refusal to say "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

"The political resolution will include the recent incidents of JNU and the issue of Owaisi's refusal to say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' among others," a BJP leader told IANS.

BJP and some opposition parties including Congress have sparred over the central government's actions concerning the Jawaharlal University and Hyderabad University.

BJP had attacked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over his visit to JNU following arrest of its student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition over alleged anti-India slogans raised at an event to mark the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Gandhi had hit back, saying he does not need lessons in nationalism from BJP.

The national executive will have a special session to discuss party's preparations in Uttar Pradesh, which will go to the polls in 2017.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is expected to speak on the budget and highlight its key features for dissemination among people. The party will also adopt an economic resolution.

"The budget presented is pro-poor and pro-village. So all the members would be asked to take this budget to common people," a party leader said.