NEW DELHI, June 6:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today issued a set of guidelines to the BJP MPs, asking them to do research on issues, have good conduct in Parliament, not to talk to media like “spokespersons” and avoid sychophancy like touching his feet.
Addressing a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Party here, he made it clear to the MPs that they should not let complacency eclipse the party’s performance which catapulted it to power.
He underscored the fact that BJP is no longer in the opposition and its MPs have a far bigger responsibility in taking the message of the Government to the grassroots level and highlight its programmes.
“Achha adhyayan, acharan aur sahaj sampark” (good research, conduct and contact)” was Modi’s message to his party colleagues in his 20-minute speech in the Central Hall of Parliament.
The Prime Minister asked them to attend the sessions of Parliament full-time and come prepared after thorough research on issues and maintain dignity in the “temple of democracy”.
He also urged them to come armed with knowledge and do their homework properly before participating in Parliament debates. He said being present during debates will be a good learning ground for them on various issues.
Sources said the Prime Minister also asked the MPs not to talk to the media as spokespersons of the party but raise the issues of their own area and constituency with them instead.
Modi also emphasised that he does not approve of sychophancy like people touching his feet and asked them to instead do hard work as Parliamentarians.
“Don’t touch my feet,” he told them.
Sources said Modi asked party MPs to do good work for the common people as they all have to be elected again in 2019. He said he himself, being a first-time MP, has to learn a lot from Parliament and so should the other new MPs do.
The Prime Minister asked them to be punctual in attending Parliament and help in the smooth running of the House.
Modi also lauded the elevation of Sumitra Mahajan as the Speaker of Lok Sabha, saying she is the first woman in the BJP to reach that level.
BJP patriarch L K Advani, in his address, asked BJP MPs to continue to work for the welfare of the common people and consolidate on the gains as the party had come a long way from mere two MPs to the 282-member strong force with a majority of its own in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
He asked them to be upright in their conduct so that no bad name is brought to the party.
BJP President and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also welcomed the new party MPs and lauded their role in the just-concluded poll. He asked them to work hard for further success of the party and uplift of common people.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, former BJP President and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venakaih Naidu talked about the benefits offered to new MPs and their preferences for the various House Committees. (PTI)
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