Modi projects his govt as pro-poor; tells BJP MPs to reach out to people

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 19

On a day the rival Congress launched a massive offensive against his government’s proposed amendments to the Land Acquisition Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that all the efforts by the BJP-run dispensation at the Centre were aimed at the uplift of poor and weaker sections of society.

(Video: PM Modi inaugurates workshop of BJP MPs)

While he addressed a workshop for BJP lawmakers on the various pro-poor programmes of the government, the biggest takeaway from the PM’s speech was that his government was pro-poor and pro-farmers but its achievements and efforts were being ignored by media and Opposition parties.  

“Do good work and ignore the criticism by people with vested interests,” the PM said, delivering a pep talk to party MPs a day before the Budget session of Parliament resumes.

The Prime Minister took on Opposition parties for their criticism of his government, saying all government’s schemes, including ‘Clean India’ and ‘Beti bachao, beti padao abhiyaan, were pro-poor and for the uplift of the downtrodden sections of society.

Notably, the meeting to highlight various pro-poor, pro-farmer and pro-women welfare schemes and incentives given by his government during the first year in power coincided with the farmers’ rally to mark Congress party’s anti-Land Bill Acquisition Bill and the return of vice-president Rahul Gandhi offensive.

Organised for the BJP Parliamentary Party in association with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, an RSS-affiliated training institute, the main theme of the ‘Garib Kalyan Yojanaye’ was their effective implementation and the role of an MP in doing so. 

During the workshop, senior ministers guided and motivated BJP MPs for implementation of various Centrally-sponsored schemes and help them fight the perception battle.

The Prime Minister said some people had decided to criticise the government but the MPs should not waste time on them. “Utilise your efforts on those who want to understand what we have done to control inflation and corruption,” he said, adding that all these efforts were aimed at uplift of the poor.

“The World Bank, the US President… are all talking about India and its achievements,” he said, asking the MPs to ignore those who are trying to belittle the government’s achievements.

Addressing the BJP MPs on pro-poor welfare schemes, the PM talked about the achievements and breakthroughs achieved during his government.  He cited evacuation from Yemen, breakthrough in nuclear deal, efforts to eradicate corruption through coal and mineral Bills as major achievements of his government.

“We are not here to enjoy the fruit of power. We are here so that we can serve the people better,” he said. The PM also asked BJP MP’s to reach out to people and give comparative figures (of UPA and the NDA) to give them better perspective about his government. 

“The government’s decision to buy damaged wheat is proof of the government’s commitment to farmers. From the day I became the PM, this is a pro-poor government,” Modi said. 

Stressing that “India is no longer known as corrupt,” he told the MPs to concentrate on rural areas. Reiterating the government’s dedication to poor, he said LPG subsidy surrendered by rich would be passed on to poor women who are using conventional chullahs, harmful to health and environment.

Ahead of the Parliament session, the PM said Parliament should function despite differences between parties.