Only talk will be sweet at BJP meet

To show solidarity with citizens suffering from the ongoing drought situation in parts of the state, BJP leaders plan to skip dessert at the party's national conclave on May 24-25 in Mumbai.

Guest appearance! BJP'su00a0city unit chief Raj Purohit also corroborated that an invitation had gone out to Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and he would attend the meet. File Pic

The city unit of BJP, headed by Raj Purohit, has decided on a traditional Maharashtrian fare for the event. Breakfast will comprise items like kanda poha and sabudana vada, while lunch would include zunka bhakar. And while the meal will be a Maharashtrian delight, according to party sources, there will be none of the state's popular aamras (mango pulp) for dessert. The party will also do away with other sweet dishes such as ice cream or gulab jamun. Sources say the frugal arrangements may upset some top leaders including Nitin Gadkari, known to be an epicure.

As reported by MiD DAY on May 16 (BJP meet to be a dry affair as state reels under drought), the abstinence isn't limited to confectionery. Senior party leaders will be accommodated in budget hotels at Churchgate and Colaba, a BJP source said. Stalwarts such as Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, will be lodging in state government guesthouses, such as Sahyadri at Malabar Hill. Personal staffers of senior leaders, who would previously stay at three-star hotels, will be put up in lodges and guesthouses in Fort area.

Raj Purohit also confirmed that an invitation had gone out to Narendra Modi and other BJP chief ministers, from both the national office and the Mumbai unit of the party, and that there's no possibility of the Gujarat CM not attending the meet. But, he may not partake in the public function scheduled for May 25 at Dadar's Babu Genu Kamgar Maidan. u00a0