JOIN USDon't touch my feet, focus on work: Modi to MPs
Attempting to enthuse work ethic among the political class, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday advised BJP MPs to give up the culture of touching his and senior leaders’ feet.
He also asked them to “work hard and study hard” for remaining wedded to people’s aspirations. Modi came up with the advice after scores of MPs lined up to bow down and touch his feet when he entered Parliament.
Addressing BJP MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Central Hall of Parliament, he also advocated that they should do their homework and raise issues concerning their constituencies so that they remain connected to the people.
He advised them to spend time in the Parliament library to arm themselves with information and understanding on issues that confront the people.
Party president Rajnath Singh and patriarch L K Advani were among the leaders who also shared their views on responsibilities that MPs need to shoulder.
They shared the dais with Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Cautioning them against complacency, as the NDA got a sweeping mandate which took the teeth out of the opposition, Modi told newly elected lawmakers that they now have enhanced responsibility to become a medium between the government and the people by informing them of what the government was doing and obtain feedback on the policy initiatives and their aspirations.
Modi’s 20-minute speech was like a commentary on dos and don’ts for a parliamentarian to effectively discharge his/her duties.
On a day when the Lok Sabha elected a new Speaker in Sumitra Mahajan, he exhorted MPs to attend the full-session of Parliament, hear and participate in debates and maintain decorum.
Interestingly, the prime minister told party MPs to restrain themselves from giving bytes to television channels and newspapers as party spokespersons.
Instead, he asked them to raise issues concerning their constituencies with journalists. Modi advocated this perhaps to put an end to the practice of speaking out of turn which had earlier cost the BJP.
Advani wanted MPs to work for the welfare of the people and consolidate on the gains made by the party which has come a long way from having merely two MPs to 282 in the Lok Sabha.