The BJP sounded the bugle for 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah's homeland on Friday. A three-day national convention of BJP's Mahila Morcha (Women's Cell) is underway on Trimandir campus. PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the party leaders on Saturday. Around 5,000 women BJP office-bearers have gathered here from different states.

The Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the inaugural session of this convention on Friday. Sitharaman also addressed the press conference before the inaugural ceremony of the convention.

During the press conference, Sitharaman said, "This is the first huge convention of the party where women from across India have come and PM Narendra Modi will also address them. This meeting will boost the morale of the cadres of the party and will work for Lok Sabha polls with zeal."

Addressing party's women cadre from the dais of the convention, the defence minister prepared them for working before Lok Sabha polls by saying that the BJP would have to fight against people who spew lies before Lok Sabha polls.

"We all have to fight them who spew lies before the polls. The Congress has been creating a ruckus and crying falsely over the issues from which BJP have come out clean. Rafael deal and Soharabuddin and Tulsi Prajapati encounter case are examples in which the Congress has been making false allegations," she said.

The Union minister also said that the courts in their verdict had trashed all the allegations on BJP government and leaders. Sitharaman said the BJP government had worked for the people and many women have benefitted a lot. She also upheld BJP as a party where the worthy get opportunities.

"I have never worked in Mahila Morcha, but remained a party spokesperson for years and work in party organisation. I had no political backing but worked for the party. The party made me the defence minister and that is a very important position in the government. I believe that you all have more power than I have, and get the opportunity to work at important places," Sitharaman said.

BJP's national general secretary for organisation Ramlal and Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani also were present on the occasion.