Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged his party, the BJP, to make efforts to reach out to every section of society, including minorities and marginalised communities, not with electoral aims but to work with full dedication for all sections of Indian society.
The remarks were part of Mr. Modi’s valedictory address at the two-day meeting of the BJP’s national executive in New Delhi. While sources said that he mentioned sections of society like Pasmandas and the Bohra community, there was no confirmation that he named communities.
Stating “India’s best era” was imminent, the BJP should dedicate itself to the country’s development and turn ‘ amrit kaal’ (the 25-year period till 2047) into ‘ kartavya kaal’ (era of duties), he said.
Mr. Modi noted that there were nearly 400 days left for the 2024 Lok Sabha election and asked party members to serve every section of society with full dedication in a speech described by several participants as his big vision to expand the saffron organisation and lead the country in every aspect.
Party members who were part of the 350-member national executive said Mr. Modi spoke highly of Sufism and also asked them to meet professionals from different walks and visit places like universities and churches to connect with them.
Sources also said he cautioned the party against any sense of “overconfidence” and cited the example of the BJP’s loss in Madhya Pradesh in 1998 despite the unpopularity of then Congress government led by Digvijaya Singh.
Interestingly, Mr. Modi also emphasised environmental conservation, instructing partymen that Dharti Bachao (save the earth) campaign should be run on the same lines as the government’s other campaign, Beti Bachao (save our daughters) and that dependence on fertilizers should be reduced. He made laudatory references to the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam recently held in Varanasi to celebrate “ancient spiritual ties between the two regions and cultures”.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who briefed the media after Mr. Modi’s address, said the latter emphasised that “the BJP is no longer merely a political movement but a social movement as well that is working to transform socioeconomic conditions”.
“He said people in 18-25 age group have not witnessed the political history of India and are not aware of corruption and wrongdoings that took place under previous governments. So, they need to be made aware. Let them know about the good governance of the BJP,” Mr. Fadnavis said, in a reference to governments headed by parties other than the BJP.
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He also said that Mr. Modi advised the party to conduct special programmes of its different “morchas”, especially in border villages so that it can connect with people more and ensure that the government’s developmental schemes reach them. “Prime Minister Modi’s speech was inspirational. It guided us as well as showed us a new roadmap. He asked us to dedicate every moment of our life to advance the country’s development. Only by converting the ‘ amrit kaal‘ into ‘ kartavya kaal’, the country can be taken forward,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
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