Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a key message to the BJP, asked it to undertake a 'Sneh Yatra' (affection rally) across the country to bring together all sections of the society.
“PM spoke about the diversity of India and the enormous potential of this diverse population. All must be brought in the ambit of the BJP,” senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said quoting Modi's speech at the conclusion of the two-day national executive meeting. “Our focus should be P2G2—pro-people and pro-active governance. Our target should be from appeasement to fulfillment. Then we will reach our goal of ‘One India, and Best India’ and 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas'.”
Prasad explained that it was a big political pronouncement from the prime minister as to what kind of a country we want to have: from appeasement to fulfillment. The BJP has always hit out at other political parties for their alleged appeasement of Muslims. Claiming his government's welfare measures as 'fulfillment', Modi has given a new political term to his party.
Explaining what PM Modi meant by the 'Sneha Yatra', Prasad said when some people are negative, we should adopt, in contrast, a positive approach in expanding the party. “When we go for our outreach programme, can we involve Asha workers? If some revenue or police officers are working good, can we engage with them?,” he said.
Prasad elaborated that the 'Sneh Yatra' is also a yatra of sadbhav (harmony) and samanway (coordination). “The prime minister talked about new politics in the country and a new culture where political ecosystem transcends beyond bantering, and for coordination and affection.”
Modi’s message assumes significance after the recent incidents including Udaipur killing and former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s remarks that caused consternation among the Muslims. Modi stressed the need to work for all communities as he reiterated his slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'.
While the contours of the 'Sneh Yatra' are yet to be worked out, and he didn’t refer to any particular community, a party leader said Modi’s exhortation to undertake the yatra is an indication to apply a healing touch, which in a way could be similar to his 'Sadbhavna' fast that he had undertaken over a decade back in Gujarat when he was the chief minister. Through his fast he had presented Gujarat as a model of inclusive growth and communal harmony.
In another significant intervention, Modi also asked the partymen to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims (Dalit Muslims) as they have been left out of the fruits of development. Party leader said Modi twice referred to Pasmanda Muslims in two days of BJP meeting. This was the first time that the prime minister may have referred to this section of the minority community within the party forum, sources said, and the message was clear.
As BJP is holding its national executive meeting in Telangana where it fancies its chances, Modi referred to Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar twice in his speech at the conclusion. “PM Modi said that Hyderabad is Bhagyanagar which is a significance for all of us. Sardar Patel kept the foundation of a unified India as it was because of him that the state of Hyderabad was included in India. It's BJP's responsibility to carry it further,” Prasad said quoting Modi during a press briefing.
BJP leaders are invoking the Hindu identity of the city which is known for its Muslim culture and historic Charminar monument. The name Bhagyanagar draws its name from the temple of Ma Bhagyalakshmi which abuts the Charminar.
Modi also outlined the evolution of BJP, opportunities for the party, and its obligation to the people and the country, Prasad said.
Modi said there were several states like West Bengal, Kerala and Telangana where the BJP was still facing challenges, despite its massive rise across the country. He praised the workers of these states who, he said, are working hard despite the challenges.
The prime minister said the BJP is democratic in thinking as it was the party-ed government which built the largest statue for Sardar Patel, a Congress leader, and set up the Museum of Prime Ministers.
In a word of caution for his partymen, Modi asked them not to ridicule or belittle those parties which were fighting for their relevance. “We should learn not to repeat their mistakes,” he said. This was an oblique reference to the Congress which was struggling organisationally. He also added that it was difficult for dynastic parties to survive.
Modi repeated his message of 7S for party workers, a message he had earlier given in 2016 Allahabad BJP national executive, which includes Sewa (service), santulan (balance), samanway (coordination), saiyam (patience), sakaraktma (positivity), samvedna (empathy) and samvad (dialogue). He also spoke about gender justice and sensitisation.
Later, Modi addressed a public rally in Hyderabad. Modi praised the people of Telangana and reminded the audience of the state’s cultural, religious and literary history. He said Telangana was ready for a change and the state will benefit from double-engine governments. He appealed to the women voters as he recounted number of schemes his government has initiated for them.
