Uri attack likely to cast shadow over BJP National Executive

New Delhi, Sept 19: The deadly Uri terror attack is likely to cast its shadow over the three-day BJP National Council meet in Kozhikode starting on September 23.

The dominant theme of the exercise so far was likely to be the party's renewed emphasis on the 'garib kalyan' (poor's welfare) agenda, besides reprising its ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay's contribution in his birth centenary year.

The terror attack on an Army camp that killed 18 soldiers and saw outpouring of grief and anger, including from BJP leaders, may have changed the script.

"Obviously there is palpable anger among our workers over the terror attack and they would be looking at the top party brass to send out a message. I am sure the leadership will touch on this issue of national security," a senior party leader said.

Nationalism is a key plank of the saffron party and it has often used the theme of national security and terrorism to galvanise its cadres and corner opposition parties.

With the party facing criticism from certain quarters over terrorist attacks targeting security facilities during its government and lack of concrete action against Pakistan an issue over which it often taunted the UPA government, the sources said it is likely to use the event to reassure its cadres.

Some party leaders, including General Secretary Ram Madhav who yesterday batted for "for one tooth, the complete jaw" policy, have gone public seeking tough action against Pakistan. Its president Amit Shah has spelt out a more nuanced view, saying India's fight against terrorism has reached a decisive stage and the government is moving in the right direction.

PTI