PM Modi meets Uttar Pradesh MPs over breakfast, expected to talk development

Winning UP again in 2019 is crucial for the BJP if it has to return to power at the Centre. The BJP had build a campaign against nepotism and underdevelopment of UP under the previous Akhilesh Yadav government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met BJP MPs from Uttar Pradesh over breakfast on Thursday, where he was expected to exhort them to work towards development. This is the prime minister’s first such meeting with lawmakers from country’s most-populous state, which the BJP won this month with three-fourths majority.

Modi’s breakfast meeting is the first such with lawmakers from Uttar Pradesh, which the BJP won this month with three-fourths majority (PTI)

The BJP has 71 MPs from Uttar Pradesh. “We have for our government in UP after 15 years. The PM is expected to reiterate party’s commitment for development and role of MPs in it,” a lawmaker from UP said.

Winning UP again in 2019 is crucial for the BJP if it has to return to power at the Centre. The BJP had build a campaign against nepotism and underdevelopment of UP under the previous Akhilesh Yadav government.

With the party ruling at the centre and in the state, BJP leadership has repeatedly cautioned its lawmakers against laxity that could cost it in the next election.

With chief minister Aditya Nath distributing portfolios to his minister last evening, the BJP is trying to get a synergy between the Centre, states, elected representatives and the party to maintain the momentum that recent electoral victories have given it.

The prime minister represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha.