Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met with BJP Members of Parliament (MPs) from Odisha, emphasizing the need to honor the significant mandate granted by the people of the state. He called on the elected members to focus on diligent service and effective implementation of central government schemes.
“The BJP has been accepted by the people of Orissa, and that’s the reason we have this kind of mandate. But now we must keep their trust intact by working for the cause of the people,” PM Modi said during the 45-minute meeting with BJP MPs.
The gathering served as an introductory session for many of the MPs, several of whom are first-time parliamentarians. PM Modi underscored the importance of not just winning elections but also delivering tangible results for the people. “It is okay to be able to win the election in the manner which we did, but winning elections alone is not okay, we need to deliver to people and work for people. That’s the real challenge,” he stressed.
Modi’s message was clear: despite the party’s impressive success in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, there is ample opportunity to expand its influence further. He urged party members to engage with the public actively and ensure that central government initiatives reach every corner of the state.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots engagement, PM Modi encouraged MPs to emulate the Gujarat model, sharing anecdotes from his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He stressed the need to connect with the youth, particularly through initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. “Prime Minister Modi said that the one that the youth can really have is on cleanliness. Therefore, it was important to connect the youth with the benefits of schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” a source said, adding that MPs have been tasked with engaging 1.5 lakh youth by the end of 2024.
Emphasizing humility over the arrogance of power, PM Modi advised MPs to hold small tiffin meetings with grassroots party workers to strengthen their bond with the electorate.
On a lighter note, PM Modi joked with senior party MP Sangeeta Singh Deo, who represents Bolangir. He referenced her husband, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, the deputy Chief Minister in the Odisha government. Modi also teased Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy, the MP from Behrampur, known for his loud and aggressive voice, quipping that his voice was so loud it could reach Gujarat from the Parliament.
The BJP’s historic victory in Odisha, overtaking the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, marks a significant political shift. The state now has three cabinet ministers at the center: Ashwani Vaishnav, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Jual Oram. The party won 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats, significantly increasing its presence from the 12 seats it held in 2019. Currently, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is the sole Rajya Sabha MP for the BJP from Odisha.
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