Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed party MPs to reach out to the people in their constituencies with the message that this year’s budget was not populist despite being the last full-fledged one before the 2024 general elections and enumerate benefits to the middle class and weaker sections.

Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, Modi said this was not an election budget but one that aimed to serve interests of the poor and had something for all sections of the society. He emphasised that while the BJP organisation has already begun the exercise of taking the message of the positives in the budget to the masses, MPs should join the process during Parliament recess.

“The budget has been hailed by everybody, including those who are not ideologically inclined to us,” a BJP MP quoted Modi as saying. The MPs were advised to study reviews of the budget at various fora to know the highlights. BJP president JP Nadda felicitated Modi and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the budget at the meeting.

In his address, Modi said the budget was development oriented and would create jobs and boost the infrastructure sector. While it is difficult to satisfy everybody, even at a family function of 25 people, the budget has managed to impress all, he claimed. Anti-incumbency can be beaten through hard work and people acknowledge work during elections. There are several instances where BJP has won elections as the ruling party, he said and referred to Gujarat where BJP has been re-elected consecutively for over two decades.
Modi also asked his MPs to woo young voters, especially in urban areas through sports events. There is a belief that youth in cities is not very keen on sports and this needs to be changed. MPs should organise sporting events in constituencies on a regular basis, Modi said. The prime minister also mentioned G20-related events would be held at various places and response from foreign delegates to 20 such meets held so far was very positive. He referred to relief sent to Turkey and Syria, devastated by Monday’s earthquake. He recalled experiences of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake when he offered his services to affected people. Modi said he could relate to the suffering of people in Turkey and Syria due to his experience.