New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a breakfast meeting with 45 Parliamentarians on Friday, a majority of whom switched political loyalties recently and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), allaying their apprehension and concerns amid the stormy Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The Prime Minister expressed concerns over repeated disruptions in the Parliament, due to Opposition uproar, which has apparently denied them the opportunity to speak in the House.
Throwing his weight behind the MPs, including the rebels from Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT, Prime Minister Modi is understood to have asked them “not to worry as the NDA was standing behind them as a family” and added that he was personally with every MP.
“The NDA is a family. We are with the constituent parties. I am with every MP, and not just one constituent party of the NDA. I stand with every MP of the NDA. You don’t need to worry about anyone,” NDTV reported, quoting the Prime Minister on his conversation with the MPs at the breakfast meet.
Those who joined PM Modi at the breakfast on Friday morning included 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs (who merged into the Nationalist Citizens Party of India), seven former Uddhav Sena MPs (six of whom officially joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena), 20 National People’s Party (NPP) MPs, and two from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction).
The Prime Minister also reportedly told the MPs to read, learn and understand the history of Parliament and urged them to participate in debates vigorously, so as to strengthen the debating traditions at the “temple of democracy” and ensure that the constituency of each lawmaker gets representation in the House.
PM Modi is also understood to have shared his personal experiences with the MPs and advised them to maintain cordial and harmonious relationship with the members of the Opposition.
“Don’t get caught in Delhi’s web of narratives,” was one of PM Modi’s clear suggestions to the rebel MPs, now being part of the NDA.
Friday’s meeting came a day after a dinner interaction, hosted by PM Modi, with 37 Bharatiya Janata Party Members of Parliament at his official residence as part of his outreach to the lawmakers during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
This informal meet was organised to facilitate discussions on governance and Parliamentary affairs while reinforcing coordination within the BJP and its allies.
(IANS)
