New Delhi

In a key initiative, India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended invitations to representatives from eighteen political parties spanning ten countries for them to witness firsthand the BJP's election campaign. This is part of the 'KNOW BJP' global outreach programme.

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"The representatives will be meeting BJP National President Shri JP Nadda on 1st May 2024 at the BJP HQ. They will also be interacting with Dr S Jaishankar (Minister of External Affairs) and Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw (Union Minister of Railways)," stated a BJP release, highlighting the key agenda of the visit.

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The delegation includes a diverse range of parties, from the United Russia Party founded by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Likud, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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From Sri Lanka, representatives from Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party will be in attendance, reflecting a cross-section of the island nation's political landscape.

Furthermore, prominent parties from Nepal, such as the Nepali Congress, Janamat Party, PM Prachanda's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), will participate in the delegation. Madhesi Party and Rashtriya Swatantra Party have also been invited.

"The visit is part of the global outreach program ‘KNOW BJP’ launched by Shri Nadda on the 43rd Foundation Day of the Party," added the release, emphasising the significance of this initiative in promoting understanding in Indian electoral politics.

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Delegates from Mauritius, including representatives from the Militant Socialist Movement, as well as key parties from Africa such as Uganda's National Resistance Movement and Tanzania's Chama Cha Mapinduzi, will also be part of the meetings. The Militant Socialist Movement is the party of PM Pravind Jugnauth. Other parties from Mauritius are the Mauritius Labour Party, Mauritian Militant Movement, and Parti Mauricien Social Democrate.

During their visit, the delegates will receive comprehensive briefings on the BJP's election campaign strategies and gain insights into India's electoral processes. Indian general elections are underway and the results will be declared in June. The elections are the largest ever exercise of franchise in a single time anywhere in the world.

It is learnt that no parties from the US or European Union are present since they are busy in their upcoming elections.