JOIN USEntering venue was not easy even for senior BJP functionary
Senior BJP functionary from the State, G Madhusudan, on Friday had a tough time entering the Lalit Ashok hotel premises where his party’s national executive was under way.
Madhusudhan, who is also an MLC, wanted to meet one of the national leaders attending the national executive at the hotel. But the security personnel stopped him at the entrance gate and refused to allow him inside despite introducing himself as a legislator. He was finally let in after much persuasion and on the condition that he returns quickly.
The incident bears testimony to how the party has kept the uninvited guests and the media off the entire conclave. Call it the Amit Shah-style of functioning, the meeting has been a completely closed-door affair.
Even the senior party functionaries of the State were clueless about what was being deliberated in the national executive, let alone the media.
It is the first meeting of the national office-bearers and the executive, after Shah took over the reins of the party and after Modi became the prime minister. L K Advani, Modi, Shah, senior ministers of the Modi Cabinet and chief ministers of the BJP-ruled States are attending the two-day meeting.
In the past, the party used to allow the media to cover the inaugural session. Actually, such conclaves are seen as an opportunity by the media persons to interact with leaders from across the country. Arrangements for the official media briefing are made at Hotel Capitol on Raj Bhavan Road – about one and half km from the meeting venue.
Hotel sealed
The entire Lalit Ashok hotel has been sealed from all corners. Strangely, the organisers have covered the hotel view by raising pandals over the compound wall. Local TV channels are camping outside the hotel on Kumara Krupa Road, waiting for the delegates to come out.
When contacted, Madhusudan, however, defended the party and said tight security arrangements had been made because of the presence of the prime minister.
“The meeting has been organised in this manner because of security concerns. It should not be mistaken for anything else,” he said.
When reporters asked Union Minister Prakash Javadekar at a press conference why the party was so secretive when it comes to its meetings, he said, “The national executive is always conducted the way it is being done now. Journalists are allowed to attend only the national council meetings. This is nothing new.”