Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his council of ministers on Thursday and asked them not to let the Opposition’s stalling tactics in Parliament affect them. Modi said the government had done plenty of good work in the last 18 months and that the focus now should be on informing the public of its achievements, not focusing on what they have been unable to achieve in Parliament. He also said that people should now be informed of the Opposition’s behaviour and how it is standing in the way of development.

The National Democratic Alliance ministers are expected to start travelling across the country in the new year. Each minister is to undertake a tour of at least two parliamentary constituencies from the second week of January, and tell the public about what the government has done since it came to power. Modi in his meeting also told his ministers to work towards a people-friendly budget, and not to be distracted by negative propaganda.

The winter session of Parliament has been marred by adjournments because of ongoing protests by Opposition parties, especially the Congress. The Centre, which was hoping to pass the Goods and Service Tax Bill this session, has not been able to push forward its development agenda and pass any major bills during this session. The winter session will end on December 23.