Mumbai: It’s not often that the Prime Minister of India addresses legislators with a focused, postelection primer. However, that’s exactly what Prime Minister Narendra Modi did on Wednesday, during a session with Mahayuti alliance MLAs.
About The Meeting
In this rare meeting, the Prime Minister provided valuable insights on how to strengthen the alliance, improve internal coordination, and carry out responsibilities with greater efficiency and grace. True to his characteristic style, Modi ensured that the meeting was conducted in an orderly and disciplined manner, reminiscent of a wellstructured classroom. The session lasted around two and a quarter hours and was meticulously organized.
Prior to the gathering, specific instructions were given to the MLAs to report to the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, with strict guidelines to leave their mobile phones behind to ensure no recording of the discussions. Once gathered, the MLAs were collectively escorted to INS Angre, where the meeting took place. Following the session, Modi had lunch with the legislators, providing an opportunity for further interaction. Many MLAs shared that the discussions were highly productive, filled with actionable insights and practical advice.
PM Modi On How To Foster Unity
To foster unity within the Mahayuti alliance, Modi emphasized the importance of building strong personal relationships and deepening connections with one another. He recommended that MLAs and party office-bearers visit each other’s offices and organise community events such as “dabba parties” in rural areas. This would not only build camaraderie within the alliance but create a visible presence among the people.
Drawing from the example of Gujarat, where BJP successfully maintained its grip on local bodies and panchayat elections, Modi urged Mahayuti MLAs to follow a similar approach ahead of upcoming elections. Modi highlighted the need for MLAs to remain acutely aware of public opinion about their work and performance. To better understand the needs of their constituencies, he cited the example of MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s study tour of Gujarat in 2011.
Modi encouraged MLAs to undertake similar visits to other regions to gather insights that could enhance their governance. More importantly, he stressed that the MLAs should not engage with the opposition through mere words, but by letting their work speak for them.
PM Modi On Personal Well-Being
A key point in Modi’s advice was the importance of personal well-being. He urged the legislators to prioritize their health by maintaining a balanced lifestyle, including regular medical check-ups. He also underscored the necessity of balancing their work in the public sphere with time for family and personal growth. Drawing from his own routine, Modi shared his practice of waking up early for yoga, emphasising the role of self-care in sustained political engagement. In a candid moment, Modi advised the MLAs to work for all constituents, even those who did not vote for them, and to extend kindness to opposition members.
For the MLAs, the session was akin to receiving pearls of wisdom from a seasoned leader. Deepak Kesarkar, Shiv Sena MLA and former minister, reflected on the experience, saying, “The PM provided enlightenment on how an ideal public representative should be. There were no political topics involved, but even after serving as an MLA for four terms, I still learned many new things. We will definitely implement the insights shared by him.”
CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as well as the majority of MLAs from BJP, NCP, Shiv Sena, and smaller allied parties, were in attendance, sources revealed.
