New Delhi: Highlight the work done by BJP-ruled state governments and the Centre during the second Covid-19 wave, mend the damage done to the image of the party and the government and speak less and work more — these are some of the key messages Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave to senior party leaders during his meeting with them Sunday, ThePrint has learnt.
According to a source, during the meeting with general secretaries and different morcha heads of the party that lasted for around five hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stressed the “need to make a place in the hearts of the people to end the damage done to the image of the party and the government during the Covid-19 period”.
Not only this, said another source, the PM also emphasised on forging “deep personal relations” with people.
“Asking for votes, having a political relation is fine but one needs to move beyond that and create a place in the heart of the people,” the source quoted the PM as having said. “This can only happen when you are connected with them and can be there for them when they need you.”
“Agar kisi ko koi pareshani ho toh sabse pehle unhe aapka dhyaan aana chaiye, ki aap unki madad kar sakte hai. Unke dukh ke samay mai aap unke saath rahein. Phir wo aapko kabhi nahi bhulenege (When a person is in trouble, the first thing that should come to his mind is that you can help her/him. If you will stand by them during their bad times and extend help, they will never forget you),” the PM said, according to the leader.
The meeting with the PM came on the back of brainstorming sessions that party president J.P. Nadda had held with the general secretaries and morchas on Saturday and Sunday.
During the brainstorming sessions, party sources said, Nadda gave directions to the state units to get involved in the preparations for next year’s elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh.
Following the meetings, Nadda met PM Modi Sunday along with BJP national general secretaries.
“Specific directions have been given to activate all the morchas (youth, farmers, women, OBC, SC, ST and minority wings) soon. The assembly in-charges were asked to review the functioning of the party by holding meetings,” said a senior BJP leader. “In Uttar Pradesh too they have been asked to hold meetings at the regional, divisional and district levels, and sharpen the preparations.”
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Talk less, work more: Modi
According to a source, the PM also mentioned the constant controversial statements that have been made by several BJP leaders.
“Modiji did not specifically talk about it (controversial statements) but he stressed the need for party workers to speak less and work more. He pointed out how when the government does good work and such statements are made during that time it works only as a diversion and people end up focusing on the statement rather than the good work,” said the second source.
The leader added that the PM also stressed on the need to make people aware of the work done in the public interest by the central and the state governments during the Covid-19 period. It has also been decided by the party to conduct virtual rallies.
“The party is preparing to organise virtual meetings in the election-bound states on a large scale. Right from the PM, the home minister and the party president will address it,” yet another BJP leader said. “A plan will be made to broadcast virtual meetings in each assembly of the state simultaneously,” he said.
“Time is not conducive for holding physical meetings and hence it has been decided to conduct virtual meetings. At the same time, results of the five states were also reviewed and it was pointed out by the PM that we should take lessons from the results of the recently concluded assembly elections and work for the future,” the leader added. “The PM said we should learn from our past mistakes and ensure we don’t repeat them for the upcoming elections.”
(Edited by Arun Prashanth)
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