On 40th foundation day, BJP expresses gratitude to founding members, leaders, workers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent out a message on coronavirus to BJP workers on the party's 40th foundation day, asking them to follow the guidelines and "help those in need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing".

"We mark our party's 40th anniversary when India is battling COVID-19. I appeal to BJP Karyakartas to follow the set of guidelines from our party president JP Nadda-ji, help those in need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing. Let's make India COVID-19-free," PM Modi said in a series of tweets.

The Prime Minister's appeal to the ruling party comes the morning after millions of people across the country switched off non-essential lights and lit diyas (earthen lamps) and candles in their balconies and verandas following a call from PM Modi to "challenge the darkness spread by the coronavirus crisis", which has crossed 3,500 cases nationwide.