Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met a group of 36 Rajya Sabha members over breakfast during the ongoing Parliament session, urging them to stay connected with their constituencies, remain grounded and avoid the influence of lobbyists and power brokers.
The interaction was part of the Prime Minister's practice of meeting lawmakers in small batches while Parliament is in session. The gathering included senior and first-time MPs, as well as leaders who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after leaving other political parties.
PM stresses value of parliamentary responsibility
During the interaction, Modi reminded the MPs of the significance of their position and urged them to use it responsibly.
“He told us to value our seat in the House as there are thousands of people vying for that position,” said a lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to those present, the Prime Minister cautioned members against people who approach elected representatives under the guise of helping them.
One MP said Modi compared such individuals to a spider's web, explaining that lawmakers should avoid getting caught in the influence of vested interests.
“He said we should remember to stay rooted, never lose sight of the ground we walk on and explained how he does that too,” the lawmaker said.
Advice on Parliament and technology
The Prime Minister also encouraged members, particularly newer MPs, to become familiar with Parliament's functioning by spending time in the library and learning about its history and procedures.
A lawmaker present at the meeting said Modi pointed out that only a limited number of MPs regularly use the Parliament library and urged others to make better use of its resources.
The discussion also covered the responsible use of technology and social media.
According to another MP, lawmakers were given a SWOT analysis of their social media presence and advised to maintain decorum while interacting with the media. Modi also stressed the importance of staying connected with young people and constituents through technology while being mindful of its misuse.
Focus on discipline and public engagement
The Prime Minister also shared aspects of his personal routine, including his preference for walking whenever possible and staying attentive to his surroundings.
“He told us how he prefers to walk even if it is just 100 metre from the car to the doorstep,” a lawmaker said.
Among those who attended the breakfast meeting were BJP leaders Tarun Chugh, Vinod Tawde, Rajneesh Agrawal and A Sharda Devi, along with Rajya Sabha members from different political backgrounds, including Swati Maliwal, Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Sushmita Dev and Debasish Samantray.