BJP Foundation Day LIVE UPDATES: Amit Shah to address 3 lakh workers at conclave shortly

In an opinion column in The Indian Express today, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav writes: "The BJP enters the 39th year of its inception today. Leader, cadre and parivar are the secret of its growth and success. It was the Vajpayee-Advani duo in the past and Modi-Shah in the present who provided able leadership to the party." Read his entire column here.

BJP's mega rally has kicked off. Party chief Amit Shah will soon be present at the venue. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is already present. Here is a picture of the event. There are at least three lakh workers present from across the state to celebrate the party's 38th Foundation Day. Shah will address the event shortly.

(Source: Twitter/@BJPLive)

Here's what Amit Shah is doing in Mumbai today: He will address workers at MMRDA ground, BKC, at noon. He will then hold a press conference at 4 pm in Bandra East. Later, he will meet Maharashtra MLAs and MPs at around 5 pm. He arrived in the city last night.

Meanwhile, the BJP held a parliamentary meeting this morning, on the last day of the budget session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the meeting in New Delhi, along with other top BJP ministers. For highlights from the Parliament session today, click here. 

(Express Photo/Renuka Puri)

Airlines are advising travellers to leave for the airport earlier than scheduled in case there are traffic jams along the way. Vistara and Jet Airways have issued advisories to their passengers. 

Scored of residents in Mumbai are complaining about the traffic snarls in the city, including Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Taking to Twitter last evening, he said a 30 minute drive took him 5 hours!

T 2765 - A 30 min drive .. takes 5 hours .. ! thats the Phantom movie camera moving at 500 frames per second .. Film City to JVPD Scheme, Juhu .. normal camera moves at 24 frames ..

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 5, 2018

The conclave is set to begin at 11 am this morning. Party workers are gathering at BKC. At least three lakh workers are expected to attend. Amit Shah, Fadnavis and Nitin Gadkari will address the rally, as well as PM Modi who will do so via video conference.

The BJP has begun strategising for both the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Maharashtra Assembly polls. In a meeting last night, convened by BJP chief Amit Shah, senior leaders from the state discussed the party's electoral roadmap. A senior BJP leader told The Indian Express, “Apart from the in-house organisational challenges, larger aspects relating to formation of alliances at regional levels and overall state to consolidate the party ahead of 2019 elections was the mainstay of the meeting.”

There were massive traffic jams reported on the Western Express Highway yesterday after BJP chief Amit Shah landed in the city to attend the party's Foundation Day celebrations. BJP's Yuva Morcha held a three-kilometre bike rally, comprising 10,000 bikers and several cars. Several commuters faced problems due to the congestion. 

Several BJP leaders are greeting Karyakartas and supporters on the occasion of the party's Foundation Day. Union Minister Arun Jaitley called it the hard work of Karyakartas in national interest which keeps BJP growing and motivated towards national service, while Maharashtra CM said saluted the millions of party workers across the country.

The Mumbai Police have intimated that traffic congestion is likely in the city today. Here's a list of routes you should avoid:

* Traffic congestion is likely to occur on roads heading towards Bandra-Kurla Complex. Traffic police have advised commuters to avoid SCLR, Surve Junction on LBS Road, Sion Junction, Dharavi, T-Junction, Hunsbhugra Marg, CST Road and Nehru Road till Ambedkar Junction and Shardadevi Road.

* Commuters have been asked to use alternative routes, JVLR, LBS Road, Eastern Freeway for Eastern Express Highway. For Western Express Highway users, S V Road and Linking Road are suggested.

* Heavy/goods carrying vehicles entering Mumbai at Anandnagar toll naka (Mulund East), Modela check naka (Mulund west), Airoli check naka and Vashi check naka will be restricted. Thane City, Thane Rural and Navi Mumbai police have been asked to divert/stop heavy vehicles.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wishes BJP on the occasion of the party’s Sthapana Diwas. "For BJP, the Karyakartas are everything. They are the heart and soul of the party, whose sweat has taken the Party to new heights. It is due to their efforts that we have the honour to serve people all over India and fulfil their aspirations," he said on Twitter this morning. 

The Prime Minister will address the conclave in Mumbai at 4.30 this evening via video-conference.

The BJP is the party of a New India. We are privileged to receive the blessings of people of all age groups, across all sections of society. We are a Party that believes in India’s diversity, our unique culture and, above all, the strengths of 125 crore Indians! #IndiaTrustsBJP pic.twitter.com/1DNDyBXOpZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2018

I thank my sisters and brothers of India for their unwavering faith in @BJP4India. It is our commitment that we will continue to devote ourselves towards India’s transformation. #IndiaTrustsBJP pic.twitter.com/bc2YmtMg7F

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2018

On the occasion of the BJP's 38th Foundation Day, the party is holding a mega rally in Mumbai today. Around 25,000 party workers are expected to attend the event, which will be addressed by party chief Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the event as well, via video conference. Follow our live blog for the latest news through the day.

(With inputs from ENS)