Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets ‘New India’ target for BJP CMs

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah directed BJP CMs and deputy CMs on Monday to work for a ‘new India’ by 2022, the 75th anniversary of Independence, and focus on the welfare of the poor and farmers.

In his third such interaction with CMs and deputy CMs of his party, Modi discussed the status of implementation of various central welfare schemes in their respective states.

Sources said the PM and BJP chief asked them to make all efforts to achieve the targets set to establish a ‘new India’ by 2022 — Modi and Shah will monitor the progress made by each BJP-ruled state every three months. Special focus should be on doubling the income of farmers and the welfare of the backward sections who had lagged behind allegedly due to apathy of Congress towards them during its rule over the years. The CMs and deputy CMs also flagged issues and challenges specific to their respective states.

Modi was also likely to hold one-onone meetings with the 13 BJP chief ministers on Tuesday to discuss issues specific to their state, sources said. The meeting on Monday evening was also attended by home minister Rajnath Singh, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP general secretary (organisation) Ramlal and party VP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

Monday’s meeting comes at a time when there are talks of a possible Cabinet reshuffle and expansion at the Centre. Leaders from parties that are a part of the NDA are likely to join the Union Council of Ministers. Some of the non-performing ministers may also be dropped, while a few others may see a change of portfolio.

The progress of the Sankalp Yatra that began on August 15, which will continue for a fortnight, was also discussed at the meeting. Modi has been holding stock-taking meetings with Union ministers and senior bureaucrats since the end of the monsoon session.