MPs from both Houses felicitated Modi at the weekly parliamentary party meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday... Read More

(This story originally appeared in on Aug 8, 2018)

BJP plans to highlight the constitutional status granted to the National Commission for Backward Classes to woo communities that may benefit from the move.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed party MPs to spread the message in their constituencies of the government’s efforts to promote social justice .

MPs from both Houses felicitated Modi at the weekly parliamentary party meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday. BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, Union ministers Hukum Deo Narayan Yadav and Niranjan Jyoti spoke on how Modi had strived for ensuring social justice and rights of Backwards.

The three are among prominent OBC faces of the party. Rajya Sabha MP V Muraleedharan also hailed the PM for espousing the cause of Backwards.

Speaking at the meeting, Modi said BJP should use the month known for the Quit India Movement to espouse the cause of Backwards. From 2019, BJP leaders will spread out across the country from August 1 to August 9 to emphasise on the party’s commitment to social justice with focus on Backward Castes. This year, the programme will be from August 15 to 30.

BJP leaders said that with the passage of the SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities ) Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha this week, the party will get another issue to underline its commitment to Dalits and tribals.

The bill, already passed by the Lok Sabha, will undo the ‘dilution’ of the Act by a Supreme Court verdict. BJP has been making efforts to shun the image of an upper caste party by increasing its vote base among Backwards, Dalits and Adivasis.

