Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president and MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma on Sunday said that the tireless efforts of crores of party workers have made the BJP the largest political party in the world. He made the remarks during the party's Foundation Day celebrations at the state headquarters in Bhopal.
Marking the occasion, Sharma hoisted the party flag and offered floral tributes to Bharat Mata, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. He congratulated party workers and distributed sweets as part of the celebrations, which included fireworks and festive cheer.
Addressing party workers, Sharma said the day is historic as the BJP was founded on April 6, 1980, under the leadership of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He recalled Vajpayee’s iconic words at the party’s first national convention: "Darkness will disappear, the sun will rise, and the lotus will bloom," and said this vision is now being fulfilled under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sharma further stated that the vision of Antyodaya—upliftment of the last person in society—given by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, is being translated into reality by PM Modi. He highlighted that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty and praised Modi as a "messiah of the poor."
He urged BJP workers to commit themselves to extending the government's welfare schemes to the grassroots. Citing key schemes such as the Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Awas Yojana, Sharma emphasized the transformative impact on the lives of the poor and marginalized, regardless of caste or religion.
During the event, Sharma also addressed a primary membership meeting of Booth No. 159 in Ward 45, where he honoured booth president Govind Singh Maudi. He recalled the sacrifices made by BJP's ideological predecessors, particularly Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who opposed Article 370 and laid the foundation of Jan Sangh.
BJP leaders including State Minister Chetan Kashyap, State Vice President Seema Singh Jadaun, State Minister Rahul Kothari, Media In-charge Ashish Usha Agrawal, and District President Ravindra Yati were present at the event.
Sharma also touched upon Prime Minister Modi’s personal experiences that inspired several welfare initiatives. He recalled how the Prime Minister, having witnessed his own mother cooking on a traditional stove, launched the Ujjwala Yojana to ensure that no poor mother in the country suffers from harmful smoke while cooking. “Today, over 16 crore families have received gas connections, offering them dignity and a healthier life,” Sharma noted.
He further said the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been a game-changer, providing free medical treatment up to ?5 lakh to the underprivileged. “No poor person should be deprived of healthcare due to financial constraints, and this is now being ensured through Ayushman Bharat,” he added.
Sharma also cited the law against triple talaq, stating it has brought dignity and security to the lives of countless Muslim women across the country.
Calling upon workers to act as "brand ambassadors" of the BJP, Sharma emphasized the need to spread awareness about the central government’s schemes to every household. He said that the party’s growth from grassroots movements to occupying positions from Panchayats to the Rashtrapati Bhavan is proof of its inclusive and performance-based politics.
In his concluding remarks, Sharma reminded workers of BJP’s roots, which lie in the sacrifices of leaders like Dr. Mookerjee, who opposed Article 370 and laid down his life in Kashmir. “Our journey from a small ideological movement to becoming the world's largest political party is built on principles, sacrifice, and tireless commitment. On this Foundation Day, let us renew our pledge to serve every citizen, especially the most deprived, with honesty and dedication,” he said.
