Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gathered at BJP president J P Nadda’s residence in New Delhi on Wednesday to mark the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
According to sources, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda discussed the constitutional issues raised by the Congress party in detail during the meeting with NDA leaders.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union ministers from various NDA constituents such as JD-U leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president Anupriya Patel, and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, were present.
While no formal agenda was disclosed, sources indicated that discussions revolved around good governance and political strategies, reflecting a key theme of Vajpayee’s administration.
The discussions also focused on strengthening coordination within the NDA. It was proposed that a Cabinet Minister and a Minister of State would work closely with MPs to address their concerns and provide necessary support.
Sources added that Shah advised the NDA leaders to steer clear of Congress’s distractions on issues like Ambedkar and focus on implementing the government’s positive policies and initiatives. He also elaborated on Congress’s historical missteps in implementing the Constitution, including instances such as imposing the Emergency without obtaining the President’s signature.
Other leaders in attendance included Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena president Thushar Vellappally.
The meeting emphasised the importance of constructive discussions, like those held on Constitution Day in both Houses of Parliament, and reiterated the NDA’s commitment to productive governance.
The alliance decided to commemorate Vajpayee’s legacy by convening future meetings on his birth anniversary. Vajpayee, widely respected for his leadership, is credited with running India’s first coalition government to complete a full term successfully.
The NDA meeting comes amid the alliance’s focus on simultaneous elections, with all constituents lending support to the proposal.
A Joint Parliamentary Committee constituted to scrutinise two bills for simultaneous polls is expected to meet on January 8.
With inputs from PTI
