Think beyond politics: PM Modi's message to lawmakers at high tea

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hosted a high tea for all National Democratic Alliance members of Parliament -- the first such event after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance stormed to power in May -- and utilised the occasion to ask them to be a symbol of positive political entity.

At the event held at his Race Course residence, Modi also made a fervent appeal to all the NDA MPs for ensuring the success of his ambitious projects like ‘Clean India’ campaign, ‘MP Model Village’ scheme and ‘Jan Dhan’ project.

The meeting, the first such attempt by Modi after BJP-led NDA ousted the UPA, lasted for about two hours during which the MPs were also given presentations on PM’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jan Dhan scheme, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana and labour reforms by the ministers concerned.

“Let us think big. Let us think far. Let us think above politics,” Modi said while addressing NDA MPs at a post-Diwali high tea hosted by him at his residence.

He urged the MPs to visit schools in their areas over a five-day period beginning November 14, the 125th birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and explain to children the importance of hygiene.

This, he said, would send a positive message.

The Prime Minister said that achieving ‘Swachh Bharat’ is a tough call but can be achieved with the same spirit as people of the country got together to eradicate polio.

He also urged the MPs to take to the people, the work done by the NDA government for the welfare of the poor.

Sunday’s ‘Diwali Milan’ get together hosted by the Prime Minister was equally significant as it came ahead of government formation in Maharashtra, amid speculation of a possible BJP-Shiv Sena tie-up.

All Shiv Sena MPs were also present, including Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete.

“There was an elaborate discussion on many issues which the government has brought to the nation. We had an address by the Prime Minister who talked about cleanliness, various issues before the government, how a common MP can turn things in this country, how a common MP can be a symbol of positive political entity and how the respectability of politicians can be enhanced in the country,” BJP general Secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said after the meeting.

He said the PM talked on a gamut of subjects and his spectrum was very wide as the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.

“The PM happily endorsed the achievements of the BJP and greeted Amit Shah on his victory in Haryana and Maharashtra,” Rudy said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu coordinated the meeting where various departments made presentations. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made a presentation on the Jan Dhan Yojna while Labour Minister Narinder Singh Tomar made a presentation on the labour reforms.

Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari also made a presentation on the Prime Minister’s Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojna.

Greeting the assembled MPs on the occasion of Diwali, senior leader L K Advani said that this festival was the best he had ever experienced, as the party had risen to unprecedented heights.