Indore, Feb 17 (IANS) The three-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national convention begins here Wednesday with a meeting of the national executive and newly appointed president Nitin Gadkari delivering his first address to the party.
The national executive meeting is slated to begin with a speech by outgoing president Rajnath Singh, who will then welcome Gadkari along with senior leaders like L.K. Advani.

National security and inflation will be the key points in Gadkari’s address, party insiders said, adding that he is also likely to focus on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for its “anti-poor and anti-people policies”.

In the afternoon session, the party executive will discuss the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar and Assam.

Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told IANS: “Almost all senior leaders have arrived here.”

Advani inaugurated an exhibition on the BJP’s journey from Jan Sangh till today.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan termed the conclave historic and said: “Now we will talk of politics of development only.”

The national council will meet on the last two days, during which the appointment of Gadkari as the new party chief will be ratified.