Modi govt has retained popularity: Shah

New Delhi, Aug 18: Modi Government remains as popular as it was on the day it took oath, BJP President Amit Shah today, stressing that the party needs to work to retain this support, as top leaders came together to mark the start of work on its new swanky headquarters here.

The new office spread across two acres at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg will bear the stamp of the party's cultural and nationalist agenda in its design, party leaders said, adding it will be equipped with latest communication medium and conference facilities, allowing its leadership to connect with district and block-level workers.

It is vastu-compliant, can hold a meeting of two to three thousand workers, will have several conference rooms and a big screen outside to live stream any big party event.

The proposed structure of six floors will be illuminated with ample sun light, according to a presentation made at the event, also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Over two-and-half-hours of yagna was held with Shah at the centre of rituals for 'bhoomi pujan' and top party leaders and Union ministers joining him.

The party is hoping that the new premises will be ready by December, 2018 and plans to hold its inauguration on the birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Shah was joined by all the former party presidents at the dais as he hailed the sacrifices of party workers during its journey from a 10-member organisation to 11-crore membership.

Today, BJP has over 1000 MLAs, more than 300 MPs and is in power in 15 states either on its own or with its allies, he said. Noting that the Modi government formed in 2014 was the first majority dispensation at the Centre in the last 30 years, he said, "It remains as popular as it was when it took oath.

It is our responsibility to lend permanence to the support the party has received." The party is probably at its peak right now, he said, exhorting workers not to remain satisfied and ensure that it grows beyond its current strength.

The party wants to open an office each in 580 districts of the country and has bought land in 250 places so far, he said. While its commitment to its ideology has fuelled its growth, the way it is run will have to change with time, he said as he spoke about his thrust on the use of offices equipped with modern communication facilities to coordinate in real time its programmes from Tamil Nadu to Arunachal Pradesh.

The party is also working to document its history and efforts are on to put together audio and videos of its leaders.

PTI