In an attempt to streamline the party-Government “connect” and provide party workers and leaders “ready access” to Ministers, the BJP has ensured presence of one Central Minister “every working day” in the headquarter.
In view of Prime Minister Narednra Modi’s stress on party remaining alive to Government policies and programmes and avoiding “any misunderstanding”, a coordination cell is constituted which would facilitate the Government-workers interaction in the party office at 11, Ashok Road.
Beginning this week , Minister of State for heavy industries P Radha Krishnan, would be available in the party office on Wednesday followed by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan on Thursday and Minister for Commerce and Industry and corporate affairs Nirmala Sitaraman taking her turn in the office on Friday.
The Ministers would be “available” in the office from 4 PM to 6 PM. According to sources, the arrangement was also put in place as “some people” were noticed taking round of Ministries and Government offices. The coordinator of the cell Nawin Sinha, said so far ministers would come to office for three days and the list for rest of the days and coming weeks would be formalised after consultations Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkiaiah Naidu. The availability of Ministers during the Parliament session would be kept in mind, he said.
The Minister are expected to be interacting with party men in a newly constructed office—a little distance away from the main office- and “to start with” be available from Monday to Friday.
The party workers would be screened and their business agenda would be checked before they present themselves before the Ministers. Every day there are at least 100 to 150 party leaders or workers throng the office with their queries on various issues relating to their State, region, constituency or locality.
Asked whether the Ministers would also be available to the media, Sinha said his brief was only limited to ministers interaction with party men. Earlier this month Union I & B Minister, had assured that a minister would be available in the office.
It is not clear whether media would also get an opportunity to interact with the ministers available in the office. According to sources, the arrangement was also put in place as some party men were noticed taking round of ministries and Government offices.