Test of power: When PM Narendra Modi invited BJP CMs for a 12-point exam on govt agenda

Thirteen chief ministers of Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states took a 12-point test before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who pitched for a fresh push to welfare schemes and better coordination between the party and its government on Sunday.

These CMs gave separate presentations of 15 minutes each before the PM and BJP president Amit Shah, elaborating on each of the 12 questions they were asked at the party headquarters in Delhi.

Deputy chief ministers of three states were also present in the meeting also attended by Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, M Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari.

The CMs were asked questions such as development initiatives in their states, mechanism for party-government coordination, social media initiatives, promotion of digital programmes, pro-poor initiatives among others.

A similar drill was conducted in Delhi in August 2016, where the BJP chief ministers were given specific targets on issues of governance and their promotion. The PM also reviewed implementation of those targets.

The dinner meeting, which started close to 7pm, lasted nearly five hours. The exercise, just a month before the third anniversary of the Modi government, is seen as preparation for the next general election in 2019.

"Modi is cautious about election victories leading to



complacency. The meeting is to keep the party and the government on toes," a BJP leader privy to deliberations told HT.

Sources said Modi sought to know from the chief minister if their governments were coordinating with the Prime Minister's Office through its resident commissioners here on development projects. He also asked about the plan, if any, the CMs have for a "positive projection" in the media on issues related to politics and governance.

The CMs briefed the Prime Minister and Shah on the their social media set up and how schemes of the state and the Centre were being publicised online.

The PM also asked if the ministers in the state were given any responsibility, other than their departments, to achieve the targets of the government and the organisation. "Modi is walking extra mile to ensure that each and every person in the party and the government were working in the same direction to achieve a common goal," another BJP leader said.

The CMs also explained how concepts such as lok durbar were being implemented to resolve issues flagged by BJP workers and the core group of the party in the states were functioning.

State's participation in Pragati - an initiative by Modi to resolve pending projects - and BJP government's pro-poor efforts were also discussed at the meeting.