PM Narendra Modi advises Rajya Sabha MPs to expand BJP’s base

Prasad, who briefed the media on the almost five-hour-long meeting, said Modi reminded the MPs that the party had given them “a platform and distinct identity” by bringing them to the Rajya Sabha. “Therefore, you must bring people of new areas into the party. MPs should show active participation and constructive role in debates, study well, and talk about the government’s achievements,” he quoted Modi as saying.

Modi is reported to have pointed out that the BJP has sent many young party workers to the Upper House. “They are expected to work with new vigour and energy both inside and outside parliament,” Prasad said. Modi also stressed the importance of being active on social media. A special session on social media and its reach was held.

Shah also addressed the meeting earlier in the day. “He asked the Rajya Sabha members to adopt one Lok Sabha constituency each, which the party lost in 2014, and nurse it as if they are the Lok Sabha members from there. It will help the party win in that area. He asked them to spend their MPLAD funds there and work on expanding the organisation,” said Minister Prakash Javadekar. “He said Rajya Sabha members should also work to spread the party’s base and ideology,” he said.

Javadekar said the party’s Rajya Sabha members, including ministers Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu, Manohar Parrikar and Javedekar himself, would adopt a constituency in the state they represent in the House. Today’s meeting follows two major interactions which Shah and Modi held with the party’s chief ministers and state leaders, where they asked them to work overtime.