The BJP is asking all its members (ministers, MPs, MLAs, and cadres) to amplify PM Narendra Modi’s message on the economic slowdown – that the government is in control.
New Delhi: Alarmed by a growing perception that India is witnessing an economic slowdown, the ruling BJP has decided to rope in its ministers, MPs, MLAs, and cadres to amplify Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message – that his government is in control.
According to party sources, the BJP has decided to ask its members to reach out to people and assuage their fears. This comes just days after the PM made an extensive speech on the economic scenario. A decision on when to send the party’s big guns out into the public is expected to be taken soon.
While some of the BJP’s own senior leaders have spoken out against the present state of the economy, the RSS has also jumped into the debate. Its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, said in his Dussehra address in Nagpur that economic policies needed reforms.
Sources stated that the BJP was concerned about the growing media narrative about an economic slowdown, and is now aiming to change it to a positive one.
Also read: Talk Point: Does PM Modi’s recent speech put to rest worries about India’s economy?
The issue of reaching out to the people also came up at a meeting between Modi, party president Amit Shah, and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The party is set to arm its cadres with a copy of the PM’s speech, the statistics he quoted, and the issues he addressed, and deliver the message to the people on the ground. Along with this, the cadres will also be charged with creating awareness about the government’s pro-people initiatives and policies.
“Work is underway to arm the cadres with the figures and statistics pertaining to the economy in general. Sector-wise details will be provided wherever needed. The effort will be to reiterate what the PM has said in his speech on the economy. The debate on the economy should not create an environment of panic among the people. The effort will be to dispel the fears, if any, among masses and traders,” said a senior party leader, who did not wish to be identified.
Similar moves were also made when the government brought in the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, and after it implemented the Goods and Services Tax.