BJP Foundation Day Highlights: BJP won’t allow removal of reservation against SC/STs, says Shah

Opponents can't imagine that when we got the opportunity to elect a President, we elected a person of Dalit community. Those who spread lies cannot digest how BJP can have so many Dalit MPs, SC/ST MLAs & MPs and so an environment of opposition is being created towards BJP: PM Modi (ANI)

Today BJP is facing a lot of Opposition. Sometimes, it also takes a violent turn. It's not because we made a mistake. It is the strength of BJP that affects opponents. They are unable to digest that a poor person born into a backward family is serving as PM: PM Modi to party workers

In BJP there are no divisions, no dynasty politics and no I versus you. It is truly democratic and only a democratic political party can effectively serve a democratic nation: PM Modi in video interaction with BJP workers on the party's foundation day.

Amit Shah reiterated his earlier statement, "The BJP will neither remove now allow the removal of reservation against SC/STs, Opposition is spreading lies to divide the society, it is an example of low-form of politics."

Hamari haardik icchha hai ke sath mein rahe (It is our heartiest desire to continue the coalition with Shiv Sena): BJP President Amit Shah in Mumbai, reports ANI.

The citizens have confidence in the leadership of Modi, we will once again come to power in 2019, we will make a government with full majority: BJP national President Amit Shah at a press conference in Mumbai.

At 4:30 this evening, I look forward to a very special interaction. I will interact with thousands of @BJP4India Karyakartas through a live video interaction, via the Narendra Modi Mobile App. It is always special to interact with hardworking Karyakartas!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2018

BJP president Amit Shah along with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders during the Bharatiya Janata Party foundation day celebration at BKC in Bandra on Friday. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

BJP workers at the Foundation Day in Mumbai. (Source: @Dev_Fadnavis/Twitter)

Amit Shah in his address had likened the conglomeration of Opposition to a flood-like situation when creatures like snakes, cats, dogs, mongoose run for cover climbing on each other.

CM Devendra Fadnavis equated the state government to Shiv Shahi Rajya which was known for good governance.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis tweets on the occasion of the BJP foundation Day address in Mumbai.

My greetings & salute to millions of karyakartas across the Nation on #BJPFoundationDay !We,the karyakartas from Maharashtra are honoured that our Rashtriya Adhyaksh Mananiya @AmitShah ji is celebrating #FoundationDay with us in #Mumbai !#BJPMahaMelava#ChaloBKC#IndiaTrustsBJP pic.twitter.com/EoJBtOHAWj

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 6, 2018

The ideology and BJP of BJP are linked to the soil, culture and tradition of the country and are the main causes of expansion of the party in the country: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Sacrifice for the nation, sacrifice for the nation's security and integrity are the part of the BJP's DNA, says Ravi Shankar Prasad in a press conference in Delhi

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis starts his address,  he pays tribute and reckoned the significant role of Shiv Sena chief late Bal Thackeray in Maharashtra and India. Fadnavis said though he was not from our party Thackeray remained an inspiration to us always and I must acknowledge that.

Amit Shah concludes his speech.

Traffic advisory for people in Mumbai who have to catch a flight. Airlines, including Vistara and Jet Airways, are asking passengers to allow more time to their journey to the airport due to traffic congestion on the Western and Eastern Highways towards BKC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will see BJP emerging with grand success in 2019 declares CM Devendra Fadnavis. Shah declares 2019 elections will be Narendra Modi lead at Centre and Devendra Fadnavis lead in Maharashtra for the victory of NDA. He takes a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and NCP president Sharad Pawar for trying to propagate lies and questioning Modi govt.

He also said that, "BJP will never allow removal of reservation against SC/ST. It is party's commitment."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will see BJP emerging with grand success in 2019, Shah says. He adds that Modi has created fear within the Opposition, which is now teaming up to fight the BJP in the election.

On the last day of the budget session, Shah said that the Prime Minister ensured that Parliament functions smoothly but the Opposition did not let that happen. 

"The BJP started with 10 members and today has more than 11 million members," Shah says. "We began with two members in Parliament, but now have absolute majority," Shah says. He also says that the BJP will never allow removal of reservation against SC/STs. "It's a party commitment," Shah says at the rally in Mumbai.

BJP chief Amit Shah begins addressing party workers in Mumbai. "On the BJP's inception day I want to congratulate the party's millions of workers and wishers," he says. "I pay tribute to the karyakartas who sacrificed their lives for the party."

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wishes the BJP on its Foundation Day. "I sincerely hope that India under PM Modi can truly exhibit the moral leadership of the region by winning the trust, hearts & minds of the people of J&K," she tweets. The PDP is in alliance with the BJP in J&K.

Hearty congratulations to @BJP4India on its foundation day. I sincerely hope that India under @narendramodi ji can truly exhibit the moral leadership of the region by winning the trust, hearts & minds of the people of J&K.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 6, 2018

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is addressing the rally. 

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)