Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday advised NDA leaders to exercise restraint in their public remarks, cautioning them to avoid unnecessary statements that could harm the party’s image. “Maintain restraint in speech. Refrain from making needless statements. Avoid speaking anything, anywhere,” he told the leaders during the NDA Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers conclave, according to sources. The advice comes in the wake of recent controversies triggered by remarks from BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra sparked a major row on Saturday with his remarks that the tourists, who lost their lives in Pahalgam, should have put up a fight against the terrorists, and the women, who lost their husbands in the attack, should have acted like ‘veerangna’ (warrior women). Earlier, Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah, speaking at an event near Mhow in the district on May 12, had said India taught a lesson to those responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack using “their own sister”. It was seen as him referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media about Operation Sindoor.
A one-day conclave of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chief ministers and deputy chief ministers was held in Delhi on Sunday, where two key resolutions were passed — one lauding the success of Operation Sindoor and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and another endorsing the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste-based census.
According to PTI, the resolution on Operation Sindoor, proposed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, praised the valour of the armed forces and the “brave leadership” of Prime Minister Modi. It stated that the operation had given a befitting reply to terrorists and their sponsors, and had bolstered the self-confidence of Indians.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, BJP President J P Nadda, and nearly 19 chief ministers and as many deputy chief ministers. BJP, which organised the programme, stated that deliberations focused on caste enumeration, good governance, and the first anniversary of the Modi government’s third term.
‘We Don’t Do Caste Politics’: NDA Conclave Passes Resolution Backing Caste Census
BJP National President and Union Minister J P Nadda addressed a press conference after the conclave where he said, “Today, our National Democratic Alliance’s CM conclave was held under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Our 20 CMs and 18 Deputy CMs were present in this meeting. Two resolutions were passed. The first resolution was on Operation Sindoor, which was carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. The work and bravery of our army were highly appreciated. Therefore, this resolution was passed unanimously.”
He further added, “A resolution was also passed in the meeting on the caste census. Everyone gave their consent to this and praised the decision of Modi ji and congratulated him. We have made it clear that we do not do caste politics, but want to bring the deprived, oppressed and exploited, who have been left out, into the mainstream. This is the need of society.”
Speaking about internal security, Nadda mentioned discussions on the anti-Naxal campaign. “Our Chhattisgarh CM talked about how we have fought against Naxalism and are succeeding. Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma highlighted rehabilitation efforts in Naxal-affected areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also guided us and explained the strategies used to defeat Naxalism,” he said.
The proposal on Operation Sindoor was put forth by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and supported by Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, while the caste census proposal was moved by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and seconded by Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, Nadda informed.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking after the meeting, said, “Two resolutions were passed, first on Operation Sindoor and second on caste census. Everyone thanked and congratulated our armed forces and Prime Minister Modi for the success of Operation Sindoor… Many administrative reforms have been brought in Maharashtra, which were also appreciated by Prime Minister Modi.”
Prior to the meeting, BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, in charge of the party’s good governance department, said the conclave would focus on best practices by NDA state governments, with chief ministers presenting signature schemes from their respective states. He also noted that leaders would deliberate on upcoming events including the first anniversary of the Modi government’s third term, a decade of International Yoga Day, and the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, PTI reported.
During the presser, J P Nadda also remarked, “On 25 and 26 June, 50 years of Emergency will be completed. NDA will expose it and inform the public about those who tried to strangle democracy.”