GANDHINAGAR: As many as 118 BJP mayors and deputy mayors have started a huge conclave in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Tuesday to discuss the issues confronting their cities for decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked them not to take any development initiative with election centric approach.
In his opening speech, Modi stressed upon a blueprint for holistic development of the cities focussing on the creation of satellite towns, and development of 2 and 3 tier cities to ease the burden on the crowded cities.
He said that the process of development of the cities has started proliferating only after the people elected BJP candidates. He said that those running the municipal corporations have direct links with the people.
"This has suggested, beyond doubt, the growing confidence in the BJP. The people have come to realise that only BJP can give the urban areas a massive facelift. The mayors should keep in mind Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikash and Savka Viswas," said the prime minister as he was opening the two days conclave.
Modi further asked the mayors and other elected local representatives to be in touch with the poor beneficiaries while implementing the various government schemes. He said, "this will help the representatives understand the local issues and to get a better idea to beautify their respective cities."
The Prime Minister, further, remembered his engagement to develop the capital city of Ahmedabad from 1987 to 1991, when the people there voted BJP to form the municipal corporation.
National BJP president JP Nadda along with senior central party leaders attended the opening ceremony. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri are also schedued to participate in the two days conclave. Fadnavis is expected to share the vision for urban development while Puri will brief the participants about the various government schemes for urban local bodies.
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