With 8.79 crore members, BJP becomes world's largest political party

New Delhi, Mar 30: With just one days left for the BJP's membership drive to end, the party on Sunday claimed that their membership strength crossed the 8.79-crore mark, surpassing the Chinese Communist Party, which has 8.67 crore members.

The online membership drive of the party was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 1, 2014. He was also the first to renew his membership. [To increase party's strength, PM Modi to launch BJP's membership drive]

According to BJP leaders, even though they are behind the 10-crore target set by party president Amit Shah, they have touched the 8.8 crore mark as of Sunday night. Leaders also told that they are hopeful of touching the 10-crore mark.

Interestingly, several BJP-ruled states have sought extension of the deadline to reach their individual targets. This include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam.

Sources say the party has the maximum members from Uttar Pradesh, and in West Bengal, the figure has gone up from 1.25 to 37 lakh.

"The exact number of primary members will be determined after verification, and we would also meet each and every new member and give them a membership card," a senior leader said.

Oneindia News