PM Modi met with the newly-elected BJP Rajya Sabha MPs today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with 18 newly-sworn in BJP Rajya Sabha members at his residence on Wednesday, offering them advice and encouragement ahead of their term in parliament. The meeting was a courtesy call after they took oath as parliamentarians in a muted ceremony.
"Had an excellent interaction with the newly elected BJP Rajya Sabha MPs. It was wonderful to hear their views and passion towards public service. This is a group of MPs who are diverse and will certainly make effective contributions to parliamentary proceedings," PM Modi tweeted.
The Prime Minister gave the new MPs three mantras to follow in their new roles.
- To keep themselves updated with latest policy issues
- To be effective on the floor of the House as well as in the field, among people
- To be aware of the need for constant people connect and to embrace social media
PM Modi tweeted his advice with photographs of today's meeting, which took place while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
"Urged MPs to keep themselves updated with latest policy issues. Also emphasised on being effective on the floor of the House as well as in the field, among people. Reiterated the need for constant people connect and embracing latest technology as well as social media," the Prime Minister wrote.
During the hour long meeting each MP introduced himself/herself in detail. The Prime Minister asked some questions of each person; the individual discussions were mostly about the coronavirus outbreak and flood situation in Bihar, Assam and other states.
Apart from the Prime Minister, BJP President JP Nadda, the party's General Secretary, BL Santosh and Arjun Ram Meghwal, MoS for Parliamentary Affairs were present.
Around the same time last year, the BJP held a two-day workshop for its MPs. The sessions outlined responsibilities and duties and was attended by all parliamentarians, including the Prime Minister, who sat with other MPs in the audience and not on stage.
The PM's advice to MPs after that session was the same.
Sources have told NDTV the new BJP MPs will also be in regular touch with party functionaries to familiarise themselves with the way the party organisation works - and what is expected of them in parliament.
The new session is likely to begin before September, when the new MPs will be in action for the first time.
The BJP won eight seats in recently held Rajya Sabha polls, taking them to within 10 seats of the halfway mark and complete control of both houses of parliament.