BJP CONCLAVE

My anti-graft fight will continue, I have no relatives: PM

PTI9_25_2017_000049B Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a lotus flower at BJP's national executive meeting at Talkatora stadium in New Delhi | PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes out with a message to his party men every time he speaks within the party fora. The BJP's national executive was no different. Modi sought the support of party leaders for turning various government initiatives into mass movements. BJP chief Amit Shah also listed six programmes which the party would support for fulfilling them by 2022.

Both leaders in their separate speeches hit out at the opposition for using harsh language in absence of any substantive charges. Shah was more direct as he picked up Rahul Gandhi for his 'dynasty' remarks during a speech at Berkeley. 

In what was interpreted as message to the opposition, Modi said he would continue his fight against corruption. “Whosoever is caught will not be spared,” Modi said during his valedictory speech at the BJP national executive meeting here. "I don't have a relative," he added in an apparent reference to his partymen and opposition that he would spare none when it comes to issue of corruption. 

His views came on a day Enforcement Directorate attached former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's son, Karti Chidambaram's assets in a corruption case.

Interestingly, BJP had gathered all its elected representatives which included 13 chief ministers, six deputy chief ministers, over 60 central ministers, 232 state ministers, 1515 MLAs and MLCs, 334 MPs to participate in the extended national executive meeting to mark the end of birth centenary celebrations of Sangh ideologue Deen Dyal Upadhaya. This was seen as an attempt to give a big boost to the NDA government's schemes which were still lagging behind in terms of making desirable changes on the ground. As less than two years remain for the next elections, BJP is expected to propagate central schemes at mass levels.

But the big expectation that the prime minister and the BJP chief might refer to the slowing down of the economy in their speeches went in vain. The big gathering had raised hopes among the party workers that something big was planned, but the national executive appeared to stop short of it.

Instead, the big announcements came immediately after the BJP meet was over. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the first time after assuming power, constituted a five-member economic advisory council headed by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy.

Secondly, he announced the electricity drive for providing power to non-electrified villages and also giving out free connections to the poor. This schemes appear to be inspired for the successful free LPG connection scheme—Ujjwala Yojna—which not only helped the poor, but it gave rich electoral dividends to the BJP.

The party did not take up the areas which were feeling the stress like the economy and the jobs cuts. Apparently, this was done as a strategic move as it would have generated negative comments about the government. Instead, a political resolution was adopted at the meet and subsequent speeches lauded the successful missions of the government.

The political resolution lauded the government on its war on black money and for providing “transparent” economy. It also congratulated the government on introduction of the GST.

On economy, two central ministers—Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari—during the press conferences held as part of the national executive reiterated that all steps required to boost would be taken.

From now, the BJP would get into poll mode for the upcoming Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections. BJP chief Amit Shah said there was a huge enthusiasm in cadre and people across the country. He asserted that party will win a “historic mandate” in these two states.

He referred to Modi's six points for 2022, which include cleanliness, poverty, corruption, terrorism, casteism, and appeasement.

Shah lauded the prime minister on issue of resolving border dispute at Doklam and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for her speech at the UNGA.

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