Concentrate on development, good governance: PM Modi's message to party MPs

New Delhi, Dec 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP MPs to highlight the government's "successful performance" in Parliament and explain the bills passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, despite disruption by opposition parties.

While addressing members at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting here, the Prime Minister asked MPs to strengthen the party in states and concentrate fully on development and

and not get diverted from the issue despite the opposition's attempts, sources said.

Mr. Modi also sought suggestions from members for the upcoming Budget Session to make it more effective, they added.

The Prime Minister enumerated government's programmes planned on December 25, the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee being observed as ‘Good Governance Day'.

According to sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the government has nothing to do with religion or conversions as it was a secular government. He also told the party MPs that the issue of conversion was a subject that is the responsibility of state governments.

Mr. Naidu also informed the members that the opposition was deliberately disrupting the Rajya Sabha and the BJP has to focus on development and good governance and not get diverted.

"Among the many issues discussed at the meeting, it was decided that ‘Good Governance Day', which is to be observed on December 25, will see a number of programmes, including one for the poor," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said after the meeting.

He said since BJP believes in respect for all religions, it was decided that party MPs should participate in Christmas celebrations and programmes.

"The country has suffered due to frequent disruptions by opposition in the Rajya Sabha but work done in the Lok Sabha is visible to all," Rudy said.

Senior party members, including LK Advani, and Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, and Venkaiah Naidu were present at the meeting.

PTI