MP's BJP unit to give away Gita, Tulsi saplings, Narmada water to workers at conclave

Bhopal, Oct 29: The Madhya Pradesh unit of BJP will distribute copies of Bhagwad Gita, besides tulsi saplings and Narmada water to its workers attending a state-level convention beginning here tomorrow, which will be inaugurated by the party president Amit Shah.

The conclave is organised as part of the BJP's plan to continue its winning streak in upcoming local body elections as well by replicating its stellar performance it had pulled off in Assembly polls in 2013 and in Lok Sabha elections held in May.

Elections to the local bodies are slated for November-December. State unit BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan told reporters today that the party will distribute a tulsi sapling, Narmada water and Bhagwad Gita to those attending the two-day session.

Responding to a query if BJP is playing a communal card, Chouhan said those workers who wish to take these things will be given the same and those who do not will not be forced to accept them. When pressed further why BJP is distributing these things at outset, Chouhan parried the question, saying, "Tulsi is considered as sacred, Narmada water is treated as holy and Bhagwad Gita enlightens people on education."

A total of 25,000 party workers are expected to attend the conclave which will be addressed by top party leaders including Shah, state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, M Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Narendra Singh Tomar, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Anant Kumar and Prakash Jawdekar.

Chouhan said that BJP will field candidates having a clean image in the forthcoming local body elections. He also said that the party has decided that party workers attending the event will stay at the residence of their local counterparts including at the residence of chief minister. "Five party workers, including one from general category and two each from SC and ST categories, will stay at the CM's residence," Chouhan added.

PTI