PM meets Shah and Cabinet ministers, discusses attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with senior Cabinet ministers and BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday. Sour-ces disclosed the Uri terror attack and the ruling BJP’s response on the issue was also discussed during this meeting. There is a growing unease and concern within the BJP’s rank and file over the “measured response” taken by it on the incident. Mr Shah had held a meeting with party’s national general secretaries on Tuesday where he had sough feedback on this issue.

After the feedback, the BJP leadership is likely to take an aggressive stand on the Uri incident at its three-day-long national council meeting beginning in Kozh-ikode, Kerala, from Septe-mber 23. Though “Garib Kalyan” programmes and “nationalism” are going to be the dominant themes of this meet, senior leaders are likely to use the platform to attack Pakistan for promoting terrorism and will also send a strong message to the neighbouring country.

At least 3,000 delegates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will attend the meet which will conclude on September 25, the birth anniversary of party ideologue Deendayal Upad-hyaya. Mr Modi will also address a rally on September 24.

Senior BJP leader and former Kerala unit chief P Murlidharan said “As the Uri incident has taken place, it will obviously be discussed during the meeting.” Violent clashes between Left and RSS cadres along with coming Assembly elections in key states will also be discussed.