New Delhi, Jul 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday instructed BJP parliamentarians to undertake a unique 150-km 'padyatra' or foot-march in their constituencies to mark "Gandhi 150" or the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
At the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting here, Prime Minister told party MPs that Mahatma Gandhiji's teachings and villages should be the 'focus' during the 'foot-march' to comment from October 2, the birth anniversary of Gandhiji, to October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The party MPs and other leaders should also discuss Gandhian thoughts with the people, he told them.
"The yatras will focus on the revival of villages and making them self-reliant, plantation drive and zero budget farming," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters later.
At the meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman briefed the ruling party lawmakers on the Budget and called it "visionary".
Sources said Mr Modi also asked Rajya Sabha members of BJP to undertake similar 'padyatras'. They have been especially asked to focus with the 'foot-march' programms in constituencies where the BJP has organsiational slackness.
Prime Minister also urged party MPs to focus on the Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) of the party - that was released as party's electoral pledge before Lok Sabha elections.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said : "Modiji told MPs that 150 groups should be formed in each constituency which will cover 150 kms and the party MPs will be part of these groups. The idea is to reach out to public and seek their feedback on the government's work and their expectations from us".
Mr Meghwal said Prime Minister said that 'Gandhi and villages' will be the focus and MPs and party leaders should discuss Gandhian thoughts with the people.
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