Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met the Council of Ministers for the last time before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections to discuss the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) preparedness for the upcoming polls and finalise a 100-day action plan to be implemented by the new government after the polls.
“We will meet again after winning”, PM Modi told the ministers during his speech and advised them to exercise restraint and carefully consider their words when speaking in public.
The day-long meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, chaired by PM Modi, saw presentations by Secretaries on a roadmap document for Viksit Bharat 2047 and a detailed action plan for the next five years, Indian Express reported.
Modi was quoted as having told the officers to continue their work on government projects and schemes and not treat the election period as a vacation when the political leadership will be busy with the electoral process.
“Aap chhutti mat samajhiye, kaam par lag jaaiye (don’t think you are on holiday, get down to work)… When it comes back after the elections, the government will work with new vigour and zeal, “ sources quoted him as having
said, IE reported.
In his nearly hour-long address to the ministers, the Prime Minister also advised them to avoid controversies and be cautious of deepfakes.
“Speak about the schemes, avoid controversial statements,” he said.
Sources said a 100-day agenda for immediate steps to be taken after a new government is formed in May was deliberated upon during the meeting for its quick implementation.
They said the roadmap for “Viksit Bharat” is a result of more than two years of intensive preparation and involved a “whole of government” approach involving all ministries and wide-ranging consultations with state governments, academia, industry bodies, civil society, scientific organisations and mobilisation of youths for inputs, NDTV reported.
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The roadmap has a “comprehensive blueprint with clearly articulated national vision, aspirations, goals and action points”.
The goals include economic growth, sustainable development goals (SDGs), ease of living, ease of doing business, infrastructure and social welfare.
The Council held its meeting at a time when the Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections in the coming days, and parties are working on election manifestos, campaign plans and lists of candidates.
On Saturday, the BJP announced its first list of candidates for 195 seats across states and Union Territories.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the Congress behind at 52 seats.