Gandhinagar, April 6 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated its 47th foundation day in Gujarat on Monday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state president Jagdish Vishwakarma raised the party flag in Gandhinagar while addressing the party's dedicated workers.

At the BJP's state headquarters, the leaders honored Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya with floral tributes before the event commenced.

During the ceremony, they also took aim at comments made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at a rally in Kerala.

Vishwakarma criticized Kharge’s statements, asserting, “Such remarks exhibit a narrow and anti-Gujarat mentality. The six-and-a-half crore Gujaratis will respond appropriately.”

He emphasized that Gujarat “will not accept insults to a land that has produced leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah.”

Chief Minister Patel remarked, “The BJP is not merely a political entity; it serves as a conduit for public service with a focus on ‘nation first.’”

Reflecting on the party's humble beginnings, he noted, “Even when we held only two seats, our commitment and ideology remained steadfast.”

He asserted that the BJP strives for “development-focused politics” despite pressure from the Opposition, stating, “A BJP worker is motivated not just for elections, but with the spirit of nation first.”

Discussing national progress, he mentioned, “The annulment of Article 370 and the raising of the Tricolour in Kashmir resulted from the dedication and sacrifice of many workers.”

He observed that the developmental model initiated in Gujarat under Prime Minister Modi “has gained acceptance both nationally and globally.”

Patel explained, “Our governance approach has been to communicate only what we can deliver, thereby enhancing public trust.”

Highlighting Gujarat’s economic progress, he stated, “The state budget has surged from Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 4.08 lakh crore,” and emphasized the “33 percent reservation for women” as a significant step forward.

He reiterated that “even a booth-level worker can aspire to higher roles” within the party and reiterated, “The party is greater than the individual, and the nation is larger than the party. These principles form the backbone of our strength.”

Vishwakarma articulated that the foundation day is “not just a commemoration of the party’s inception, but a celebration of our determination to reclaim the pride of Mother India.”

Tracing its roots, he said, “Our journey, which began with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, has blossomed into a vast organization committed to our motherland and democratic values.”

Recalling pivotal historical moments, he quoted, “When it was proclaimed, ‘I will crush the Jana Sangh,’ Dr. Mookerjee responded, ‘We will crush your oppressive mentality.’”

He also reflected on Dr. Mookerjee’s stance regarding Kashmir, emphasizing his ultimate sacrifice for the belief that there cannot be “two flags, two constitutions, and two prime ministers in one nation.”

On political evolution, Vishwakarma noted, “From merely two seats in 1984, the BJP has gone on to establish governments under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and has continued to succeed since 2014 under Modi’s leadership.”

He presented statistics: 282 seats in 2014, over 300 in 2019, and a projected 240 in 2024, adding, “In Gujarat, after 27 years in power, we still garnered 52.5 percent of the votes and secured 156 seats.”

Discussing key policy shifts, he highlighted, “Article 370 has been revoked, a magnificent Ram temple has been constructed in Ayodhya, and the practice of triple talaq has been abolished. Gujarat now stands as the second state to enact a Uniform Civil Code law.”

He characterized the BJP as “a party that shares in the joys and sorrows of the populace,” reaffirming, “This is not a dynastic party; even an ordinary worker can rise to the position of Prime Minister.”

He urged party workers to prepare “with a determination for victory” in the forthcoming local self-government elections and to ensure the BJP's influence across all electoral seats.