Feel people’s pulse, PM Narendra Modi tells BJP's general secretaries

NEW DELHI: If BJP thought it could rest on its laurels after winning a majority in the Lok Sabha for the first time, it was disabused of the notion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A day after he moved into 7 Race Course Road, Modi called a meeting of BJP general secretaries where he stressed on the need to maintain links between the NDA government and the ordinary karyakartas of BJP. “The PM made it clear that despite the immediacy of the mandate, the party must not forget that another election will have to be fought, for that Karyakartas must continue to feel a sense of ownership over the government,” said a senior party leader.

One general secretary volunteered that in 2004, while the approval ratings of Atal Bihari Vajpayee remained high, local antiincumbency brought an end to the NDA government.

“It was observed that most karyakartas are not looking for governmental patronage or contracts. Most have simple needs, someone to help with medical treatment in Delhi, or some transfer posting request,” said a source present at the meeting.