NDA discusses poll strategy

The opposition National Democratic Alliance start a meeting of its leaders to discuss electoral strategy and review the performance of state governments where it is in power.

The opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) started a meeting of its leaders in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss electoral strategy and review the performance of state governments where it is in power.

HT Image

Apart from Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar "all other invitees turned up at the meeting" at the home of leader of the opposition in Parliament LK Advani, said a member of his personal staff.

Advani has summoned the NDA chief ministers and other leaders "to review the NDA government's performance and discuss electoral strategy for the general elections," said BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar.

Those attending the half-day meet included seven chief ministers - Parkash Singh Badal (Punjab), Naveen Patnaik (Orissa), Narendra Modi (Gujarat), Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh), BC Khanduri (Uttarakhand), Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Madhya Pradesh) and Prem Kumar Dhumal (Himachal Pradesh).

"Raje sent her minister Rajender Singh Rathore and Bihar was represented by its Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi," said Advani's personal staff.

In addition, Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav as well as NDA convenor George Fernandes were present for the meet.