COVID-19: Nadda asks BJP workers to spread PM's message to masses

BJP president J P Nadda asked party workers on Friday to spread among the masses Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to light lamps or turn on mobile phone torches on Sunday.

He also claimed that India has become a "role model" for other countries for its help to the poor during the lockdown.

The government had announced the 21-day lockdown from March 25 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The way in which the entire country has fought the battle against the novel coronavirus unitedly under Modi's leadership is laudable, Nadda tweeted.

He also shared a video clip of World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' appreciation of the Indian government's relief package for the poor.

"In this difficult time, when the world is fighting with COVID-19, everyone is praising Narendra Modi's leadership and his efforts. WHO chief Tedros praised PM for his efforts to help the poor amid the lockdown imposed to contain the virus. India is a role model for other nations," Nadda said.

Noting that Modi has urged people to turn off lights at their homes and light candles, lamps or turn on mobile phone torches at 9 pm on Sunday for nine minutes, the BJP president asked party workers to take this message to the masses.

This exercise will help spread the light of the people's collective confidence and this will defeat the darkness of the coronavirus crisis, he said.

Other BJP leaders also made similar appeals while welcoming the announcement.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "PM Narendra Modi has made an appeal to all of us to switch off lights on April 5th for 9 minutes at 9 PM & illuminate our surroundings by lighting candles, diyas, torches or flashlights standing on balcony or at door step while maintaining social distance."