Do homework before taking on Congress in media debates: Modi to BJP spokespersons

The Bharatiya Janata Party Election Campaign Committee head Narendra Modi on Saturday asked party spokespersons and panelists to take on the Congress and experts having leanings towards that party in media debates on news channels only after indepth and comprehensive research.

A media workshop held in New Delhi to educate party spokespersons, panelists and media cell office-bearers from across the country was addressed by Modi, BJP President Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley, among others.

Modi, who was the star speaker at the conclave, asked the party spokespersons and panelists to prepare comprehensively, talk to experts, go through material on the internet before they argue on behalf of the party on an issue. In an interesting observation, BJP's Election Campaign Committee chief said the media is influenced in a big way by the activity and opinion building on the social media through the day. 

Sources said Modi pointed out that the editors and reporters of various newspapers today toe this line and hence there is a need to have a presence there. He also cautioned that several news channels invite experts in their debates who have leanings towards Congress and this tilts the balance in favour of the ruling party.
This can only be countered by indepth research by BJP spokespersons who participate on behalf of the party in such programmes. "Do proper research and only then face the cameras. Be comprehensive in your criticism of the ruling party so that it is properly conveyed to the voters. Participate only in debates on issues on which you are well-versed and have a hold," Modi reportedly said.
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar seconded Modi's view on the importance of the social media and said, "The social media has a big role to play in exposing the Congress. The Congress has always tried to cover up their faults."
Rajnath Singh asked the party leaders not to visit a TV studio just because they have been invited and even when they are not aware of the issue. Neither should party panelists say something objectionable and later reason that they said so as a question was posed to them or they got provoked, he added.