In his inaugural speech BJP President Kushabhau Thakre said the record of the one-year old BJP-led coalition government was "quite impressive".

Sanjiv Srivastava reports from Goa

He said the achievement was all the more significant as it proved wrong the observers who - predicting an early collapse of the coalition - had labelled the BJP as a party fit only for opposition.

The party president - who represents the more hardline wing of the BJP - made it a point to praise the leadership of BJP moderate, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Hardliner Kushabhau Thakre praised Vajpayee

He was speaking on the first day of a three-day meeting of the top decision-making body of the right-wing Hindu nationalist party.

The BJP leader also criticised the opposition Congress Party for not playing the role of constructive opposition and for trying to de-stabilise the government.

Coalition crisis

But for those who thought the meeting would be an occasion for some chest-thumping by the BJP supporters, the mood amongst party members is quite subdued.

The meeting comes at a time when the government remains haunted by the controversial sacking of the Indian naval chief.

A crucial South Indian ally of the BJP, the AIADMK, has threatened to withdraw from the coalition government over the issue.

The BJP and AIADMK relationship is also strained over remarks made by a BJP minister about the AIADMK leadership.