Madhya Pradesh: BJP parliamentary party meet discusses Covid, Ann Utsav

BHOPAL: BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda convened a crucial meeting of the Parliamentarians from Madhya Pradesh at Constitution Club in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting discussed preparations for a possible third wave of Covid-19 pandemic, party's upcoming "Ann Utsav" where 80 crore BPL beneficiaries will be distributed ration, apart from other issues.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who was also present in the meeting, cut short his visit due to flood situation in Gwalior-Chambal region.
"This was a casual meeting which is organised every year. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, the meeting was not convened since last two years. In his address Nadda ji cautioned all the members to be aware of the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic and be prepared for any exigency," BJP Lok Sabha member from Balaghat, Dhal Singh Bisen told TOI.
The meeting was inaugurated by Nadda while, all the Members of Parliament (including Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) from Madhya Pradesh, union ministers and state office bearers, including president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, state in-charge of party affairs, P Muralidhar Rao, national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash, national general secretary Kailash Vijayavargiya and chief whip in Lok Sabha, Rakesh Singh were also present among others.
In his address, BJP president Nadda called upon the MPs to actively participate in the "Ann Utsav' in their respective areas, during the distribution of ration to 1.15 lakh families in the state. He also asked them to monitor and review the distribution programme to keep a check on the flaws, if any, and to help genuine beneficiaries get the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), said sources.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who reached New Delhi in the evening to attend the Parliamentary party meeting returned within half an hour after submitting a power-point presentation on Covid-19 pandemic and state government's preparations on the possible third wave.
"I am going back to Bhopal with the permission of BJP national president Shri JP Nadda ji. There is a severe flood situation in North Madhya Pradesh. Due to the ongoing rescue and relief work, around 5,000 people have been rescued to safe places. Now the operation will continue, which I will monitor," Chouhan told reporters before leaving the meeting.
"We are constantly getting the blessings of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. He inquired about the situation on the phone twice yesterday and discussed it today too. The central government is continuously helping us under his guidance. I need to go back so that we can conduct the rescue operation properly," Chouhan further clarified.
The BJP members also handed over a citation to Nadda to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 27 per cent reservation to OBCs. "BJP Parliamentary party today handed over a letter of thanks for Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Nnarendra Modi ji to honorable national president Shri JP Nadda ji for giving 27 per cent reservation to OBCs and 10 per cent to EWS in All India Quota Scheme for Medical-Dental Course," said BJP state chief VD Sharma.
Sources said that there were speculations that chief minister Chouhan would discuss appointments in boards and corporations apart from some important positions in the state organisation. However, it was postponed as Chouhan left the meeting half way to assess the flood situation in the state. The meeting concluded with a dinner hosted by party chief Nadda.