Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend and address a day-long convention in Pune on Sunday, to boost the morale of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) 5,300 leaders and workers in the state ahead of this year’s assembly elections. The BJP currently leads the state government in coalition with the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as part of the Mahayuti coalition. 

Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Raosaheb Patil Danve said, “Senior leaders of the BJP will guide the party workers and a strategy will be prepared for the upcoming assembly elections… The government of BJP and its allies will be formed again in Maharashtra…”

#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: BJP leader Raosaheb Patil Danve says, “Senior leaders of the BJP will guide the party workers and a strategy will be prepared for the upcoming assembly elections…The government of BJP and its allies will be formed again in Maharashtra…” pic.twitter.com/At1N943nT6

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024

According to IANS, Shah is expected to advise leaders and workers to enhance coordination and dialogue with allies Shiv Sena and NCP despite the BJP’s leadership position in the Mahayuti. Earlier, Shah had communicated to the Maharashtra BJP leadership that the party will not contest the assembly elections alone.

He is likely to urge cadres to adhere to alliance principles and, together with the Shiv Sena and the NCP, fight with full strength and determination. He is also expected to ask state leaders to follow the ‘collective leadership’ principle in the implementation of its assembly election roadmap and also in keeping the allies together.

BJP spokesperson Sandeep Khardekar said the entire state cabinet, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, would be present for the conclave, The Indian Express reported.

All About BJP Conclave & What Shah Will Do During The Visit

Aside from Shah, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash, and key leaders from Maharashtra, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, will join the Pune event. The BJP’s election in-charges for Maharashtra, Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw, will be present as well. 

Amit Shah’s presence during the state convention is not only to charge up party members but to discuss the strategy for the election to the state assembly, as well as local and civic body polls, especially after the dismal performance of the alliance in the Lok Sabha elections, IANS reported.

He is expected to address the convention around 3 pm, reported The Indian Express.

Shah is expected to ask the party cadres to strengthen outreach at 91,600 booths to seek votes not only for the BJP but also for the NCP and the Shiv Sena.