BJP's 'Kamal Sakhis', Wives of Lawmakers, Get Pep Talk From Amit Shah

New Delhi: A red carpet was laid out - literally - at the home of minister Smriti Irani on a sweltering Delhi evening as nearly 300 women arrived in quick succession.

This is a sort of First Wives Club: the members are either MPs or ministers or married to the BJP's national law-makers. On Tuesday night, they met for the fourth time in three years - the agenda was to discuss how they can contribute to the government's big push for better sanitation and hygiene.

The women are quick to warn that they are not eager to share the details of what they discuss - or how. Neelam Rudy, married to minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, is the convenor of the group which is called Kamal Sakhis (Women supporters of the Lotus). Mrs Rudy, wearing a beige and gold sari, said the deliberations are not meant to be shared publicly.  But others said that the goal is to help implement key policies of the government.  Addressing them at last night's event was party chief Amit Shah, who reportedly told the women that they can often play a far more important role than their husbands in helping raise public awareness of campaigns like the effort to improve government schools.

The Kamal Sakhis was formed four years ago, while the BJP was in the opposition.  At their meeting in December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped in.

"It's a good place for all of us to sit and have a get together and talk," said Dr Uma Sharma, who is married to Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma. "I am a doctor, so I don't get much time but I can get a sense of what's happening through this," she revealed.

So on Tuesday night, over dinner - the event included mehendi and bangle vendors - Smriti Irani spoke to the sakhis about her initiatives in the Education Department, and urged them to ensure the schemes are implemented in their husbands' constituencies. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj also addressed the women. "We get to know each other too," said Tejaswini Kumar, the wife of Minister Ananth Kumar, who walked over to the gathering since she lives next door.

The Kamal Sakhis are officially chaired by Kamala Advani, married to veteran BJP leader LK Advani. The next session will be held at her home, said some sakhis.

"We have never opened ourselves to the media," said Neelam Rudy, who now leads the group. "We work behind the scenes."