Late-mover disadvantage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah have enforced strict rules for punctuality. Shah took a meeting to discuss the preparedness of the party's Delhi unit for the imminent Assembly elections in the state. The meeting was held at the party headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road. Two important BJP leaders, including a minister, turned up late. They were allowed in only after frantic banging on the already shut doors. Once inside, both of them were directed to sit at the far end of the room. Similarly, the party has directed all its Members of Parliament (MPs) to turn up in time for the 9.30 a m meetings of the Parliamentary Party at the Balayogi auditorium inside the Parliament complex. The meetings are held every Tuesday when Parliament is in session. As many as 20 of the 325 MPs from both Houses turned up late at the meeting last week. They were ticked off sternly. It was decided henceforth any MP who is more than five minutes late will not be allowed to attend the meeting.