Hands off UP: Modi to BJP MPs

PM, Shah tell BJP MPs to let officers work and refrain from intervening in transfers, postings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met BJP MPs from Uttar Pradesh over breakfast on Thursday, and exhorted the members to refrain from interfering in the functioning of the state government.

In his first meeting with the lawmakers from country’s most populous state, which the BJP won this month with threefourths majority, Modi advised the MPs to not seek transfer and posting of government officials. They have also been cautioned against putting undue pressure on police and administration.

“Let the officers work. If someone is doing any wrong, the state government will look into it,” Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah told the MPs, asking them to help the state government in development related works.

Modi and Shah told the MPs that good governance will be the mantra of the new government.

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 going into the meeting.

Winning UP 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.

The Prime Minister himself represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha.

DEEPAK GUPTA/HT PHOTO Chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi during a surprise visit at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on Thursday.