By Jayanti Oza

The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) Chicago chapter kicked off their Indian election campaign with a spirited meeting titled ‘Ab Ki Baar 400 Par.’ held at the Swaminarayan Sokhda Temple in Schaumburg, Illinois. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from community members and political leaders.

The program commenced with the ceremonial Deep Prajavalan, led by Acharya Rohit Joshi, and was attended by core group members of OFBJP. Among the prominent figures present were Dr. Bharat Barai, Ramesh Chokshi from United Sr Parivar, Smitesh Shah from ICNT, Dr. Rashmi Patel from FIA, Ashok Poddar from Silver Senior Parivar, Nirav Patel from VHPA, and Dr. CM Patel from Swaminarayan Sokhda Mandir. Amar Upadhyay, a key member of the OFBJP Chicago chapter, outlined the organization’s upcoming activities for the next two months and encouraged active participation and support from everyone.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. C.M. Patel, President of Swaminarayan Sokhda Mandir, highlighted the achievements of the BJP-led government under Narendra Modi Ji. He urged attendees to rally behind the BJP in the upcoming elections. Subsequently, Rakesh Malhotra Ji and Nirmala Reddy Ji, both core group members of OFBJP Chicago, eloquently presented the Modi government’s accomplishments across various fronts, including infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, national security, the abrogation of Article 370, and India’s aspiration to become a global leader.

The event also featured presentations by other OFBJP members: Srinivas Bodige discussed Modi Ji’s achievements in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Shreyash Ji highlighted accomplishments in Karnataka, and Hemant Patel shared insights into Gujarat’s progress.

Dr. (h) Avi Verma, a prominent businessman and President of Jagran TV Chicago (the first-ever non-commercial religious channel), emphasized the significance of the campaign slogan, ‘Aab Ki Baar 400 Par.’ He called upon the NRI community to actively contribute, both financially and physically, to the electoral campaigns, emphasizing the goal of achieving 400+ seats.

Keynote speaker Dr. Bharat Barai shared his personal experience visiting the Ram Mandir Ayodhya inauguration ceremony on January 22, 2024. He also recounted his role as a “Kar Sevak” during the historic events at Ram Janma Bhumi in Ayodhya back in 1992. Dr. Barai passionately explained the significance of winning 400 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections, invoking the spirit of “Ab Ki Baar 400 Par.”

The program concluded with a vote of thanks from OFBJP Core Karya Karta Rakesh Malhotra. At the end of the event, Rakesh Malhotra expressed gratitude to media partners Bhailal Patel (Parikh Worldwide Media), Dr. (h) Avi Verma (Indo US Tribune), and Jayanti Oza (News Media Photo/Video Journalist).