- Friday, May 17, 2024
The delegation, which was invited by the ruling BJP, met the party’s national president, JP Nadda; and two top Indian ministers Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Ashwini Vaishnaw.
By: Twinkle Roy
REPRESENTATIVES of 18 political parties from 10 countries on Wednesday (1) met leaders of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its headquarters in New Delhi to gain first-hand experience of the South Asian nation’s ongoing general elections.
Nearly a billion people are casting ballots in the marathon elections spread over a month-and-half between April 19 and June 1. The results will be declared on June 4. The BJP is the world’s largest political party with nearly 200 million members.
The delegation, which was invited by the BJP, met the party’s national president, JP Nadda; and top Indian ministers Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (external affairs) and Ashwini Vaishnaw (railways and IT).
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Vijay Makhan, representing the Mauritian Militant Movement from the African island-nation of Mauritius, shared his impressions, saying that his experience was exceptional. He was particularly impressed by the organisation put in place.
Joined @BJP4India President @JPNadda ji and ministerial colleague @AshwiniVaishnaw ji in welcoming representatives of political parties this evening in New Delhi.
Confident that their visit to India will contribute to a better understanding of our robust democratic processes. pic.twitter.com/sDjEgRZDz6
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 1, 2024
“It was a unique experience. The interactive sessions were very interesting and informative. I am very impressed by the kind of organization that has been put into place for this exercise. The institutions of India, including how the parties have presented themselves, are excellent,” he told Asian News International.
“Even though I have been following the elections through the press, the experience that I have gained from the BJP is worthwhile and very interesting. Tomorrow I’ll be going to Bhopal to witness the campaign there and hopefully attend a rally,” he added.
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Bhopal is the capital of the central state of Madhya Pradesh and will go to polling on May 7, when the third phase will take place.
Had an engaging discussion on BJP's election campaign strategies and the overall electoral process with representatives of eighteen political parties from ten countries at the BJP HQ. It was a part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. This initiative isn't just about sharing our… pic.twitter.com/BSOQJATnWV
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (Modi Ka Parivar) (@JPNadda) May 1, 2024
Saleem Mohammad, a member of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, expressed admiration for India’s democratic process.
“We have come here as a representative of the Bangladesh Awami League at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party to see the preparation of BJP, their publicity strategy, and their campaign. We are really impressed by the progress of democracy in India. This is the largest democratic event in the world,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Jaishankar posted on X pictures from the meeting and said, “Confident that their visit to India will contribute to a better understanding of our robust democratic processes.”
Nadda said on X, “Had an engaging discussion on BJP’s election campaign strategies and the overall electoral process with representatives of eighteen political parties from ten countries at the BJP HQ.
“It was a part of our ‘Know BJP’ initiative. This initiative isn’t just about sharing our achievements; it’s about inspiring others by showcasing the contributions and sacrifices BJP has made for nation-building.”
The list of invited parties also included Australia’s Liberal Party, Uganda’s National Resistance Movement, Israel’s Likud Party, Vietnam’s Communist Party of Vietnam, Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi, and Russia’s United Russia Party.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and United National Party from Sri Lanka, Militant Socialist Movement; Mauritius Labour Party, Mauritian Militant Movement and Parti Mauricien Social Democrate from Mauritius; and Nepali Congress, Janamat Party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and Rashtriya Swatantra Party from Nepal were also among the invitees.
The BJP in-charge of the department of foreign affairs, Vijay Chauthaiwale, said the party was extending the invitations as part of its global outreach programme ‘Know BJP’, which was set in motion by Nadda on its foundation day, April 6, last year, that is April 6, 2023.
(With agencies)
