A faux pas too many on Op Sindoor, BJP plans training camp for leaders in Madhya Pradesh
Designated spokespersons to handle sensitive issues going forward, say party insiders; leaders to be taught what to tell the media and what to avoid.
On May 16, the Congress targeted Deputy CM Jagdish Devda for his alleged statement that the Indian Army is “bowing” at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet. (Facebook) 
Following a string of missteps by senior BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh, particularly controversial remarks on Operation Sindoor that have politically backfired, the ruling party is preparing to organise a training camp focused on sharpening public communication.
On May 12, state Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah said at an event in Mhow that India taught a lesson to those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack using “their own sister (unki samaj ki behen ke zariye)”. While he did not name any individual, the Opposition Congress alleged he was alluding to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, one of three officials who briefed the press after Operation Sindoor. The matter reached the courts, with the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordering an FIR to be registered against him. Then, on Friday, the Congress targeted Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda for his alleged statement that the Indian Army was “bowing” at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet. On Saturday, Mangawan MLA Narendra Prajapati also had a slip of the tongue when he said the United Nations had ordered the ceasefire in the India-Pakistan conflict.
The BJP’s central leadership is said to have taken note of these incidents. According to party insiders, the training programme aims to ensure elected representatives are aligned not only with the party’s ideological direction but also with its communication strategy, particularly when speaking in public and addressing sensitive topics. The workshop is expected to emphasise that while groundwork and serving their constituency remain important, discipline when it comes to staying on message is critical in an age of instant media amplification.
State BJP secretary Rajneesh Aggarwal said, “The training programmes have been set using the central leadership’s guidelines and have not taken place in the state for some time. Since the 2023 Assembly elections and through 2024, there have been membership drives and booth-level activities, now finally we will soon begin these programmes that will especially benefit younger MLAs.”
Aggarwal said these training sessions include essential subjects such as communication with the public, authorities, and the leadership hierarchy. “Experts and responsible party leaders will lead these sessions. The training covers everyday responsibilities: public relations, proper utilisation of MLA funds, leveraging social media, and managing development work effectively. It also addresses modern socio-political challenges and scenarios,” Aggarwal said.
The party is expected to issue guidelines on how to handle politically sensitive questions, especially those involving tribal communities, law enforcement, and social customs. Party sources said this was necessary because some ministers “struggle to strike a balance between cultural sentiments and legal responsibilities.”
Structured syllabus
The BJP’s central leadership has developed a structured syllabus, according to sources. Some of the chapters include intra-party communication protocols (how senior leaders interact with juniors), public messaging guidelines (who speaks on what and when), and emphasis on clarity (guiding MLAs to focus on their specific constituencies and development schemes during speeches).
Designated spokespersons will handle broader or sensitive issues, sources said.
“It’s critical that MLAs, especially the younger ones, understand how to interact with the administration and the public while staying within the party’s ideological and organisational framework. Without guidance, they may create their own communication methods, risking deviation from the party’s image, messaging, and discipline,” said a senior BJP leader.
The coming training session will focus on how to address controversial topics, what to say and avoid in the media, and how to keep the party’s image consistent. “The workshop aims to ensure that ministers and MLAs do not make statements that contradict party positions or give ammunition to the Opposition. This training will also help leaders better communicate the BJP’s welfare schemes and governance achievements to the people,” said another leader.
Before the recent spate of missteps, other BJP leaders had also courted controversy for their speeches on sensitive topics. In April, Bhopal MLA Alok Sharma said at a public event that he was “born to deal with those with beards and caps” while speaking on a forced religious conversion and rape case. The month before, the BJP issued a notice to Alot MLA Chintamani Malviya for publicly criticising the CM Mohan Yadav-led government’s decision to acquire land belonging to farmers for the Ujjain Simhasta, a Hindu religious fair.
Minister of State for Forest and Environment Dilip Ahirwar also found himself in the middle of a controversy after his remarks about former CM and current Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Ahirwar had to personally meet Chouhan at his home in Bhopal, following which the tensions abated in January 2024. Frequent public spats and verbal clashes between Food Minister Govind Singh Rajput and former Transport Minister Bhupendra Singh have also repeatedly raised concerns about factionalism and a breakdown of discipline within the party since December 2024.
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