Daijiworld Media Network - Mopa

Mopa, Jan 30: BJP national president Nitin Nabin arrived in Goa on Friday on his maiden visit to the coastal state after assuming charge earlier this month.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, state BJP president Damodar Naik and other senior party office-bearers received Nabin at the Manohar International Airport in Mopa, North Goa.

The BJP chief, who is on a two-day visit to the state, later proceeded to the party’s state headquarters in Panaji. Assembly elections in BJP-ruled Goa are scheduled to be held next year.

During his visit, Nabin will chair the state BJP core committee meeting in Panaji. Prior to that, he is scheduled to offer prayers at the Mahalsa Narayani Temple in Verna village of South Goa.

A senior party leader said Nabin will also meet BJP’s South Goa district members in Margao in the second half of the day. He will later return to Panaji to address a meeting of state office-bearers, morcha presidents, mandal incharges and mandal general secretaries.

In the evening, the BJP president is expected to hold meetings with National Democratic Alliance partners, including the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, as well as independent MLAs supporting the Pramod Sawant-led government.

“Nitin Nabin’s visit will play a crucial role in further strengthening the BJP’s booth-level organisation in Goa,” BJP national media co-incharge Sanjay Mayukh said on Thursday.

Nabin took over as the BJP’s 12th national president on January 20, succeeding J P Nadda, marking a generational shift in the party’s leadership as it looks to consolidate power nationally and expand its organisational footprint in new regions.