PM Modi: Opp bloc formed for selfish reasons, people still nurse nafrat against them

Addressing the first group of NDA MPs at Maharashtra Sadan — nearly 45 MPs from western Uttar Pradesh and up to the state’s Kanpur-Bundelkhand region — Modi cited the BJP’s decision to make Nitish Kumar the chief minister of Bihar even though BJP had more numbers in the Assembly after the 2020 state elections. Mentioning that the party did not ask for the post of Deputy CM in the coalition government with SAD in Punjab, he said the MPs should work together to see that the NDA returns to power in 2024, sources said.

The BJP has divided NDA MPs region-wise into clusters of approximately 40 each, and Modi is expected to speak to them separately during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

According to a source, the Prime Minister exhorted the MPs to be on the ground (in their constituencies) in the coming days, take up local issues and speak to the people on the government’s achievements, and avoid discussions or comments on national or international issues.

He reminded them that even small issues could be an electoral game-changer, and they should utilise social media to the maximum in order to reach out to as many people as possible. Sources said Modi gave an example of a video clip that went viral in the run-up to Uttarakhand Assembly polls, which showed a woman talking about why she was not worried about the number of children she had, as her son, who is in Delhi, “will take care of us”, referring to Modi.

According to the PM, that video had become a “game-changer” in the 2022 state elections, helping BJP return to power with an impressive tally. He urged the MPs to go to people with a positive message about the government’s work and advised them to spend maximum time possible with them.

On Monday, the PM attended another meeting of NDA MPs from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand in Parliament annexe.