Modi outlines 7-point mantra for BJP workers

Delivering his concluding address at the party’s National Executive, which saw its president Amit Shah raising concerns over the migration of Hindus from a communally-sensitive Western UP town, Modi chose to skip the controversial issues and instead appealed to leaders to use power for the development of the society. 

He also invoked Maratha icon Shivaji, saying he did not enjoy the fruits of power, despite being a ruler and sarcastically added that the country has on the contrary also seen those who enjoyed the fruits of power without legitimately owning it, a veiled dig at the Gandhi family of the Congress.

The Prime Minister referred to the party’s win in Assam and growth in Kerala and West Bengal and had a word of caution for its leaders and workers.

“We are witnessing history in the making. We are benefitting from the hard work of crores of workers for over many decades in building the party. We are in power in the Centre and many states as well. We should not get affected by this power but think as to how we can use this for the society’s benefit. There is a need to strengthen the nation. People are no longer satisfied only with slogans. They are concerned over how the nation is being made strong,” he said. 

Briefing reporters about Modi’s speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the PM laid down seven mantras – sevabhaav, santulan, sanyam, samnway, sakaratmak, sadbhavana and samvad (Service, balance, restraint, coordination, positivity, empathy and dialogue) – for party workers to follow in their conduct and policy.

The Prime Minister stressed that these seven traits should be reflected in the conduct of the party workers, Jaitley said. He had earlier used the word sadbhavna (harmony), but later clarified that it was samvedna (empathy). To sum up, the message from the National Executive is that when the party’s political power has grown, this power has to be used for the society, Jaitley said.

To a question over what was the provocation for Modi to lay down seven point mantra, he quipped, “politicians make well-considered statements, not necessarily under provocations.” 

The PM also spoke at length about the importance of sensitiveness, saying that it is not with words but with continuous good conduct that one can win over people. Citing examples like somebody helping others cross the road, Modi said a similar sensitivity could be shown in policies like vaccination of children. “If we ensure that no child is spared vaccination as it will prevent them from developing health problems, then it is sensitivity,” party sources quoted him as saying. 

Jaitley quoted Modi as saying that India had missed a chance to grow during industrial revolution but had got another such chance now, which if utilised properly would strengthen the nation. 

Targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Jaitley dared him to accept the results of 2017 Assembly polls as a referendum on law and order in the state under his tenure. If he is so confident about law and order here, then the BJP was ready to accept the 2017 polls as a referendum on law and order. If this election is accepted as a referendum on 2017 polls, it will hurt the Samajwadi Party very much, Jaitley said.

The Finance Minister also faced questions over the long-pending GST Bill in Parliament, on which he expressed confidence that the number of those supporting the legislation was growing and made it clear that he would approach all parties on the issue, including AIADMK.

Asserting that the future belongs to it, the BJP on Monday said its fortunes are on the rise, including in east and south India where it did not enjoy significant presence earlier, while that of Congress are on decline which is resorting to compromises with regional parties to survive. Against the backdrop of Congress joining hands with INLD in Haryana and BSP in several states in the Rajya Sabha polls, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “On one hand the graph of BJP and Modi is on the rise while that of the main Opposition party is falling. They were deciding on their policies by compromising with regional parties.”