Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the new BJP headquarters, a multi-storeyed modern construction fitted with latest communication technologies, in Delhi.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Modi said: "Ours was a journey that began with greats such as Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Generations of 'karyakartas' have given their life for the party."
He said that the Jan Sangh and BJP leaders have been at the forefront of all leading mass movements after Independence.
"Ours is a party committed to Rashtra Bhakti. In thought, in action and in implementation, the BJP's core is truly democratic," the Prime Minister added.
The new party office is located at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. This makes the BJP the first major national party to shift its office outside Lutyens' Bungalow Zone, following a Supreme Court directive that party offices should be relocated from there.
The BJP's shift may put pressure on other parties to follow suit as almost all of them have been functioning for decades out of bungalows.
The saffron party has been working from Ashoka Road while the main opposition Congress office is at Akbar Road and the two premises are part of the pool of government residences.
The BJP plans to move to the new office from the current one as early as next week, official sources said.
Modi and Shah had laid the foundation stone of the new headquarters in August last year and a Mumbai-based architecture company had designed it.
Since taking over as its president in 2014, Shah has worked to have party-owned offices in all states and districts, a task in progress.
A quick look into BJP’s new HQ
The premises has three buildings fitted with modern communication tools, enabling party office-bearers to co-ordinate official works with their counterparts in states and local levels in real time.
The eco-friendly complex is WiFi-enabled and 70 rooms. All buildings have facilities like conference halls, research rooms, digital library and studios for live telecast.
Hollow bricks have been used and solar panels have been installed to provide power. Rain-water harvesting and bio-toilets are also key features of the BJP’s new office.
Here are the highlights:
# The NDA government under Atal Ji ignited a ray of hope among Indians: PM Modi
# In thought, in action and in implementation, the BJP's core is truly democratic, says PM Modi
# Jan Sangh and BJP leaders have been at the forefront of all leading mass movements after Independence. Ours is a party committed to Rashtra Bhakti: PM Modi
# Ours was a journey that began with greats such as Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Generations of Karyakartas have given their life for the party: PM Modi
# Forming a political party is not tough in India. There are several parties with their own views, ideologies & working. The fact that there are several parties in the nation adds to the beauty of democracy in India: PM Modi
# I want to thank Amit Bhai and his entire team, that worked hard to complete the work on the BJP HQ within the desired time frame: PM Modi
# The new office building is equipped with latest technology: BJP Chief Amit Shah
# This is an important day for BJP. Every member used to dream of BJP's own office. Now when the PM inaugurates this, this dream will turn into reality: Amit Shah
# When I look back, I can proudly say that a party that started off with just 10 workers, now has expanded itself so much: BJP Chief Amit Shah
# Modi ji gave us a vision for a 'New India', crores of workers are toiling hard to make this true: Amit Shah
# The party has strengthened a lot in the current regime: BJP President Amit Shah
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