New Delhi, April 11: The BJP yesterday lined up its 32 NDA partners to endorse the "bold and decisive" leadership of Narendra Modi, the pro-poor policies of his government and his rising popularity across the country, seeking to counter Opposition attempts to unite against the saffron surge.

The move to get together all allies, big and small, was also viewed as an effort to send the message that the BJP enjoyed the support of a larger number of parties than the Opposition did.

This is the first time in the past three years of the Modi government that a meeting was called of wider NDA partners at the central or state level. The talks were held at the sprawling Pravasi Kalyan Kendra, a convention centre for NRI events, and a lavish dinner was laid out for the leaders of the partners. The meeting started with a welcome address by BJP chief Amit Shah and concluded with Modi's speech.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, whose party shares an uneasy relationship with the BJP, was present. A notable absentee was Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. BJP leaders said she had to cancel her Delhi trip at the last moment because of the unrest in the Valley.

A resolution passed at the meeting expressed a "deep sense of appreciation for the decisive and bold leadership" that Narendra Modi had provided the NDA. It said "the results of the recent Assembly elections showed the popularity of the government at the Centre had got strengthened".

"The NDA urges the people to resolve to re-elect the Modi government in 2019 for continuance of the pro-poor schemes," the resolution said.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley briefed reporters in the middle of the meeting. "Thirty-three (including the BJP) members of the NDA met yesterday under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The fact that 33 parties, which represent every section of the country, attended (the meeting) demonstrates the expansion of the NDA under the leadership of Modi."

Jaitley highlighted the presence of Uddhav, described the Sena as an old ally and said its participation in the meeting despite differences on certain issues was a positive sign. He denied suggestions that the meeting had been called to discuss the presidential elections due in July.

Instead, Jaitley said, the focus of the meeting was the achievements of the government in the past three years, future programmes and the expansion and strengthening of the NDA.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, who came out along with Jaitley to brief journalists, hailed Modi's leadership and pointed out that it was the first time in India's history that a non-Congress leader had got such a huge majority.

"Narendra Modi is the most powerful Prime Minister and leader in the world... India is the only country that is going to grow in double digits and it is only possible with Modi's leadership," Naidu added.