Bhopal: Weeks after Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah made a controversial remark on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the BJP organised a training programme for its MPs and MLAs in the state, underlining the need to exercise restraint, not repeat their mistakes and also try to revert at least 80 percent of calls they receive during the day.
The three-day programme, held between 14 and 16 June at the Panchmarhi hill station in Narmadapuram district, was addressed by senior BJP leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Jal Shakti Minister C.R.Patil.
A total of 185 BJP MLAs, including Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah, and MPs from the state attended the programme. They were given training on various aspects of public life such as public speaking, time management, coordination, handling calls from public and social media narrative-building among others.
Home Minister Shah held the inauguration session, asking leaders to practise restraint and refrain from repeating mistakes.
The lawmakers were also educated about the milestones the BJP has achieved through its journey with digital images put on display at the hotel where the workshop was held.
The training programme was organised in the wake of Vijay Shah’s controversial comments wherein he referred to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as the “sister” of Pahalgam terrorists.
Jal Shakti Minister Patil told the legislators they should aim to respond to every call they receive during the day as nobody knows which can be the difference between their victory and defeat.
पचमढ़ी में आयोजित मध्य प्रदेश भाजपा सांसद एवं विधायकों के तीन दिवसीय प्रशिक्षण वर्ग के समापन सत्र को वरिष्ठ भाजपा नेता एवं देश के रक्षा मंत्री श्री @rajnathsingh जी ने संबोधित किया। pic.twitter.com/UtPwL19QhP
— BJP Madhya Pradesh (@BJP4MP) June 16, 2025
Addressing a session on rhetorical skills and mobile management, he gave an elaborate presentation on how he has set up his office and on how the selection of staff was done to ensure maximum result.
“Patilji emphasised that during the day one might get 100 calls, which would be answered by their personal assistants. But the MLA should ensure they revert to at least 80 percent of these calls before calling it a day,” an MLA, who is in the government, told ThePrint.
According to the BJP leader, Patil also spoke about how elected representatives should be smart in hiring office staff. “The staff should be polite and every person coming to meet the MLA or MP with their problem should feel heard and their problems noted.”
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav held a session on public interaction. During the session, he emphasised the values of Maitri (friendship), Karuna (compassion), and Mudita (unselfish joy).
According to a second BJP leader, Yadav emphasised the need to refrain from making needless comments in public domain.
“Yadavji pointed out that we, as leaders, should practise mudita and essentially appreciate the victories of even our competitors, instead of indulging in needless criticism. Often when someone highlights the achievement of our competitors, we instantly try to contradict by pointing out shortcomings. One should refrain from doing so,” said a BJP MLA.
According to a third BJP leader, Yadav also emphasised there is no need to comment on everything.
Addressing a session on ‘Samanvay Prakriya, Samasya aur Samadhan’, BJP joint national general secretary Shiv Prakash asked the legislators their views on coordination.
“We gave our views on how coordination can be achieved, saying when a decision is taken everybody should be heard and taken into confidence. He followed up with another question on what causes an obstruction in the process. He was essentially driving home the point that ego essentially becomes detrimental in having effective coordination,” said another BJP leader present in the session.
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Narrative building
Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde held a session on social media management and narrative-building, stressing that leaders should not only share information but also their views on pertinent issues and capitalise on controversies.
“Tawadeji referred to the uproar over the recent photo of RJD leader Lalu Yadav with a follower placing a photo of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar near his feet. Through this example, Tawdeji explained on how such controversy should be capitalised using social media,” informed another BJP leader present in the session.
Chouhan held a session on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat, and urged the importance of having a research team with each of the elected representatives to carry out a media analysis and to maintain important data pertaining to constituencies.
In his address to the leaders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said individuals are not important, the party is.
“Rajnathji said those who find themselves in the audience today might be the ones sitting on the stage tomorrow, while those who find themselves on the stage today might be in the audience, but it is ultimately the party that is of utmost importance,” another BJP leader said.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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