Mukundrao Kulkarni, who is known for strict discipline within BJP workers, was Western Suburban areas district in-charge in 1980.
It was legendary MC Chagla, an eminent jurist, diplomat and former Union minister, who, said in public, during the 1980 BJP mega-rally, said: "The future Prime Minister of the country is sitting beside me. " Chagla's words came true and Atal Behari Vajpayee became Prime Minister in 1996.
Mukundrao Kulkarni, who is known for strict discipline within BJP workers, was Western Suburban areas district in-charge in 1980. Kulkarni was looking after the entire management of arrangements of the working committee meeting and convention. He, along with corporator Bhagirath Dalal, Madhu Deolekar, Babanrao Kulkarni, Gajanan Bhovar, Wamanrao Parab and others, under the guidance of Ram Naik, had made the mega-event successful which proved to be the foundation for BJP's success today. Kulkarni is now working with the library and documentation department.
It was the 1980 convention where Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said, "Andhera chatega, soorja niklega...kamal khilega " which means that the sun would rise and darkness would go away ...Lotus would bloom.
Kulkarni shared his memories of 1980 convention with DNA. Justice (retired) Chagla had worked as Minister for External Affairs and Education Minister in Union Cabinet, ambassador to the US, and had worked with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as well as Dr BR Ambedkar during his legal profession. Chagla, who was 80-year-old at that time, had pointed out that he was sitting with future Prime Minister of the country (meaning Vajpayee who was 56-year-old during 1980 convention).
Bandra reclamation ground was a barren land and a textile exhibition was going on at the site. The textile exhibition organizers handed over the ground to BJP and the temporary structure for the textile exhibition was used by Mukundrao Kulkarni and his colleagues for setting up different Pandals and arrangements for VIPs. Big main Pandal which can house 1 lakh people was constructed and Shantidev, the legendary artiste, had designed and decorated the entire set up at the convention site.
It was first convention of the political party where a Kavisammelan or poetry meet was held after working committee meeting. None other than Atal Behari Vajpayee presented his poems and Kavisammelan went on till 2.30 am post-midnight.
BJP came all the way in last 38 years after 1980 convention making Vajpayee the Prime Minister of the country thrice. Today, it has its rule in 21 states and in Maharashtra it is ruling 12 zilla parishads, having its majority in 13 municipal corporations and 72 municipal councils. It is having 5000 sarpanches who are BJP members in the state.
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