BJP chief holds strategy meet for next round of assembly polls

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday held a meeting with party office-bearers to discuss a range of organisational matters, especially the strategy for next year's assembly elections in seven states, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, sources said.

The meeting at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi was attended by newly appointed national office-bearers, state unit presidents, state in-charges and other senior functionaries. BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh was also present. Sources said the discussions delved into measures for strengthening grassroots outreach and youth connect, particularly in states going to polls next year.

There was no official word from the BJP on what transpired in the meeting. However, Nabin said in a post on X after the meeting: "Today, at the BJP headquarters, I participated in the meeting held with the newly appointed national office-bearers, state presidents, and state organisation general secretaries, and engaged in detailed discussions on various organisational matters."

A source told PTI: "It's a crucial meeting to discuss a range of organisational matters with prime focus on the party's preparations and strategy for the upcoming elections in states next year."

Assembly poll calendar and power map

Assembly elections are due in 2027 in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Manipur (Manipur was included in one report). The BJP is in power in five of these states — Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa and (according to most reports) Himachal Pradesh is an exception, with the Congress in power there. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rules Punjab. One report specified that the BJP is in power in four states — Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Goa — while another said five, excluding Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Saturday meetings and PM Modi's interaction

The Sunday meeting came a day after Nabin held his first meeting with all newly appointed national office-bearers. Former office-bearers of the BJP's national team were also present.

On Saturday, Nabin presided over a meeting with party state unit presidents and organising secretaries. After that day-long meeting concluded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the BJP headquarters and interacted with all 67 newly appointed national office-bearers. The prime minister's meeting lasted for more than five hours.

"Organisational meetings are all about new ideas and perspectives aimed at strengthening the Party and deepening connect with the people. Great interaction with fellow party colleagues and the new organisational team," Modi said in a post, sharing pictures from the meeting.

Sources said that Modi listened to each of the office-bearers and gave "vital suggestions". A source told PTI: "During the interaction with the newly appointed office-bearers, the prime minister listened to each of them very attentively and offered guidance through his suggestions along the way. Modi urged the new office-bearers to increase outreach and connect with the youth, emphasising the need to stay grounded and engage in greater on-the-ground activity."

According to The Economic Times, Modi told the office-bearers, "I was once where you are today," drawing on his own organisational journey before entering electoral politics. The report said the interaction was freewheeling and continued until around midnight, and that party insiders viewed it as a sign of Modi's growing involvement in organisational affairs ahead of an election cycle covering seven states. The broader objective, according to people aware of the interactions, was to make the BJP more receptive, rooted and connected to people across social and generational divides, with leaders humble and attentive to the ground. Sources said the emphasis was on calibrated language, measured messaging and a political narrative projecting the BJP as a responsive organisation with appeal across regions, castes, demographics and generations.

Vande Mataram resolution

The BJP national office-bearers meeting on Saturday also passed a resolution condemning the Congress for its decision to sing just two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its events. In the 10-point resolution, the BJP vowed to protect the "dignity and the national status" of the full version of the national song and announced a nationwide campaign to spread its significance.

The resolution said a Congress Working Committee resolution cannot override the constitutional institutions or laws of India. It also resolved to educate and mobilise people, especially the younger generation, so that all six stanzas of the national song and its history are not forgotten.

The BJP stated in its resolution: "A political compromise of 1937 cannot be elevated above the constitutional settlement of 1950 and legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026."

Perspectives

  • BJP: The party frames its organisational meetings as focused on strengthening grassroots outreach, youth connect, and election preparations for states going to polls next year. The resolution on Vande Mataram reflects the party's position on the national song's full version and its criticism of the Congress's decision to sing only two stanzas.
  • Prime Minister's Office/Modi: Modi's interaction with the new office-bearers is presented as an effort to make the BJP more responsive and connected, urging the team to stay grounded and engage with the youth. His remarks emphasise the importance of organisational work in shaping political leadership.
  • Sources within BJP: Unnamed sources and party insiders describe the meetings as crucial for strategy, with Modi's guidance seen as vital. Some insiders believe the exercise could influence role and work allocation for office-bearers in the coming days.
  • PTI and other news agencies: The reports from PTI and other outlets provide the factual account of the meetings, attributing details to sources and quoting the leaders' posts. They note the absence of an official party statement on the Sunday meeting.