Panaji,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to light candles or diyas or flash torchlights at 9 pm on Sunday, could well be a strategy to usher in the ruling BJP's 41st year in existence, state Congress president Girish Chodankar alleged on Saturday.

"As BJP completes 40 years in Indian politics tomorrow and enters 41st year on Monday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee congratulates BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Goa BJP Ppresident Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and all its office bearers and workers," Chodankar said in a statement issued here.

The top state Congress official also urged the ruling party to fight the spread of coronavirus as well as defend the idea of India by upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Modi in a video message on Thursday appealed to Indians to turn off lights at homes and light a candle, lamp or just flashlight a torch or a mobile torch in order to encourage and thank the health workers at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19.