Work hard for BJP win in 2019: LK Advani to BJP MPs

NEW DELHI: Heaping profuse praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BJP's historic electoral victory, party veteran LK Advani likened him to a batsman who scored a triple century on debut.

Addressing the party's first-time MPs at an orientation programme at Surajkund (Haryana) on Sunday, Advani asked the new members to ensure that their conduct ensured a second term for them in 2019. he asked the MPs to strengthen the Modi government by working towards its policies and refrain from indulging in UPA-bashing. The people are already aware of their ( UPA) failures and have hence given a such huge mandate to BJP expecting it perform, he said.

"Our Prime Minister himself is a first-time MP," Advani said as he started his praise for Modi who led the NDA to win over 300 seats in the Lok Sabha.

An ardent cricket lover, Advani said: "In Test cricket, we have heard of players who score a century or a double century on their debut. But I do not know of any batsman who becomes a captain in the very first Test he plays and scores a triple century! This is Narendrabhai's unique achievement. As the prime ministerial candidate in his very first election, he has led the NDA to win more than 300 seats. The BJP on its own has won 283 seats. I heartily congratulate Narendra Modi for this historic success. And if I am to take into account the performance generally of his Council of Minister also, I must say the success owes not just to the leader, but to Team Modi as well!"

"From Day One, you should work towards becoming second-time MPs in order to bring BJP back in power again in 2019 ... it is necessary that you build a strong relationship with the party organization, and the entire support base, in your state and in your constituencies," he told the new MPs.

He asked the party MPs to be accessible and bond with the people. He reminded them that they did not only represent their constituency, but also their state. "Therefore, make a deep study of the issues of development and people's welfare concerning your state. Raise such issues in Parliament and with the concerned ministries or government agencies. Wherever necessary, raise them also with the governments of your own states," he said.

He said the MPs have a very important responsibility of implementing the PM's call to make development a "people's movement". "I would like the Prime Minister to make an appeal to the people that, before India celebrates her 75th anniversary of Independence in 2022, our country's ranking in the United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI), which today stands at 134, should be below 50," he said.