Don’t get carried away by power, BJP leaders tell workers

Gadkari told workers to keep the party’s agenda, and not the perks, in mind. He asked the workers to be grateful to the leaders from previous generation, who made sacrifices for the party

Be it Union minister Nitin Gadkari, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis or party chief Raosaheb Danve, all senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders had one advice for leaders at the two-day executive meet — do not get influenced by the benefits of being a ruling party member.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari at the meet. (HT)

Gadkari told workers to keep the party’s agenda, and not the perks, in mind. He asked the workers to be grateful to the leaders from previous generation, who made sacrifices for the party. “Ministry, red beacons, personal assistants, security and garlands are temporary. Power may come and go. Our only sources of inspiration are ideology and nationalism,” Gadkari said. “Don’t ask for anything. You will get nothing if you ask for something. You will get everything if you ask for nothing,” he said, adding karyakarta gave the party its identity.

Danve warned the workers against getting complacent.

“We have been working in the opposition for years. We are ruling in Delhi and Mumbai. Workers have to take achievements of the government to the people,” he said.

Danve expressed concern that the strength of the party, more than two lakh office-bearers in Maharashtra, was not being used to satisfaction. He also compared the BJP workers with the Shiv Sena’s and MNS’s. He stated organization was the real strength of the party.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said several BJP workers are seen in Mumbai for five days a week. “A serious question can be raised about the field work they are doing. Stay away from Mumbai,” he said. Fadnavis said the war room set up during the Lok Sabha elections is still operational and it is monitoring all activities. He asked the party workers to restructure the booth-level machinery for the forthcoming civic elections.