PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah host dinner for BJP MPs from UP

New Delhi, March 4: BJP on Tuesday asked its party MPs to reach out to people to dispel the opposition "propaganda" on the land acquisition bill as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah hosted a dinner for party MPs from UP tonight where they shared views on a host of issues.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who has played a key role in drafting of the new bill, addressed the party MPs where he highlighted in detail the "pro-farmer" measures of the bill, which seeks to replace the ordinance brought by the government in December last.

BJP has rejected criticism that it had tweaked the law brought by the previous UPA government to appease the industry and said the new measures will boost rural infrastructure and irrigation. Modi arrived late in the night and joined MPs.

In his interaction with MPs, Modi said they should spread the achievements of the government aimed at the welfare of the poor and weaker sections.

Shah stressed on the need to expand party's membership in the state which has sent 71 BJP MPs to Lok Sabha out of 80 seats and is the politically most important state in the country, party sources said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Woman and Child Development Minister and Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti besides a host of Union ministers elected from UP were there at the meeting held at the residence of Sanjeev Balyan, another minister.

Union minister V K Singh highlighted the demand of western UP for a High Court bench in Meerut while Gandhi touched on the plight of farmers in the wake of recent unseasonal rains, sources said.

Party sources said Shah will be hosting meeting for MPs from various states during the ongoing session.

PTI