BJP, which is not hiding its ambition to assume power at the Centre and also in Maharashtra in 2014 elections, has chosen the imposing Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan as the venue for its two day national executive meet. This year is the birth centenary year of Chavan who was the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra after the division of Bombay State in 1960 and the fifth Deputy Prime Minister of India. The venue is also important as it is situated just opposite the Mantralaya, the state secretariat in the south Mumbai. Further, Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan is headed by the agriculture minister and Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar who enjoys coordial relationship with top BJP leaders. It was a perfect photo opportunity when party national president Nitin Gadkari garlanded the statue of late Yashwantrao Chavan before entering into the meeting hall.
The venue and the adjoining area was literally converted into a military camp with the deployment of personnel of the city police, state reserve police and black cats. The traffice has been diverted to avoid congestion while the bomb squad had also been deployed near the venue. The venue is surrounded by buildings and bunglows occupied by the ministers of the Congress led government in Maharashtra, serving and retired bureaucrats and judges and also legislators' hostels. The security personnel are leaving no stone unturn as they are keeping a close vigil. Even the BJP leaders and volunteers were not allowed without entry pass issued by the party.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEET PACKAGE
BJP national executive member, who has been engaged in the organisation of two-day meet, told Business Standard "The venue has been chosen both for convinience of those attending the meet and also send out a clear message among the party members that it was gearing up for ensuing elections slated for 2014. Yashwantrao Chavan has been a tallest leader of Maharashtra who laid the foundation for Maharashtra's growth. It is a time to remember his contribution and take spirit from him. BJP will make all out efforts to reach out to the people to dislodge the most corrupt and inefficient governments both at the Centre and in Maharashtra."
The party leader said unlike previous meetings the current economic slowdown and severe scarcity situation in 15 districts of Maharashtra cast shadow over the two day meeting. Therefore, the party had preferred simplicity. "The food will be quite simple, no deserts, no cocconut water,no soft drinks, no sweets. Besides, sendior leaders including former deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj have been housed in the Maharashtra government's guest house Sahyadri situated in the plush Malabar Hill in south Mumbai. Further, other members of the national executive have been accomodated in three star hotels situated adjacent to the venue. The security personnel would be accomodated in the camp nearer to the venue.