New Delhi: In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the BJP is planning public service-related programmes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 70th birthday next month.
According to sources, the party has directed that all of the programmes marking PM Modi's birthday on September 17, will have to be public service drives related to the pandemic.
Like every year, the BJP is set to celebrate the Prime Minister's birthday as a seva diwas (service day) next month, with drives like the distribution of masks, sanitiser, medicines, food, and fruits. Clothes and ration will also be distributed in some areas.
Many leaders have suggested to the high command that the number 70 be made the theme, like having 70 blood donation camps across 70 locations.
According to sources, at a meeting at the party's headquarters on Tuesday, it was decided that PM Modi's birthday, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's birth anniversary on September 25, and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 will be clubbed together into a mega service-oriented celebration.
Sources said that the party is planning the drive from September 17 to October 2 also keeping in mind the impending Madhya Pradesh bypolls and the Bihar assembly elections. The party plans to highlight all the good work done by it during the pandemic during the celebrations.
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Pertinently, for PM Modi's birthday last year, the party has celebrated September 14-20 as Seva Saptah (service week).
BJP spokesperson Sudesh Verma told ETV Bharat that PM Modi was the public's servant, and it was his dedication to the people that made him popular among the masses. Hence, it would be fitting to celebrate his birthday as seva diwas, Verma said.
Meanwhile, sources with the party said that the all the drives will be held at the booth level, and all workers have been given strict directions to ensure that social distancing and all other COVID protocols are followed. Further, sources said that instructions have been given that the packets containing the masks, food and other things, must carry a picture of the Prime Minister and the BJP government's achievements.
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