Maharashtra BJP launches 'Atal Bandhan' program

MUMBAI: To unify its cadre and to counter Shiv Sena's ' Shiv Bandhan' initiative, Maharashtra BJP today launched ' Atal Bandhan' program, with the aim of reaching out to one crore people in the state.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the program here with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar tying a thread on his wrist.

Shiv Sena, BJP's ally, had started 'Shiv Bandhan' program some years ago where party workers and leaders sported a thread on their wrists to declare loyalty to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

"Atal Bandhan would not only be an emotional bond but an unbreakable bond of development, faith and unity...we have launched it between two most celebrated occasions, Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan," said Prasad rpt Prasad Lad, who conceived the programme.

Raksha Bandhan has special significance for RSS which celebrates it specially and Atal Bihari Vajpayee is our beloved leader, Lad said.

BJP workers and supporters will sport the thread on their hands and also reach out to the common people and tie it on their hands and take a pledge to fulfil the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said Lad.

They will also apprise the people of various developmental works undertaken by the central and the state governments.