PM chooses last row seat at BJP MPs’ workshop, calls ‘Sansad Karyashala’ great forum to learn from each other

In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended a two-day workshop for BJP MPs ahead of the September 9 Vice-Presidential election at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament complex here on Sunday, chose to sit in the last row among party MPs.

After attending the BJP MPs workshop, PM Modi in a post on X said, “Attended the ‘Sansad Karyashala’ in Delhi. MP colleagues from all over India and other senior leaders exchanged valuable perspectives on diverse issues.”

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“In our Party, platforms like ‘Sansad Karyashala’ are important because they are great forums to learn from each other and deliberate on how we can serve people even better,” the Prime Minister added.

During the session, the Prime Minister joined his colleagues as an ordinary participant, taking a seat beside other MPs in the last row.

In a post on X, BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan shared a photo from the workshop, showing himself in the foreground with PM Modi seated in the background. He captioned it in Hindi: “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji sitting in the last row in the NDA MPs’ workshop—this is the strength of the BJP. Everyone here is a karyakarta (worker) of the organization.”

The two-day karyashala (workshop) for BJP MPs began on Sunday at the Parliament complex, where PM Modi was also felicitated by party members for spearheading the recent GST reforms, sources said.

The workshop also highlighted the GST Council’s recent approval of major tax reforms on September 3, marking one of the most significant overhauls of India’s indirect tax regime. The Council reduced the number of tax slabs and slashed rates across a wide range of essential goods and services.

These reforms were consistent with the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address from the Red Fort, where he had promised GST relief for the middle class. Under the new structure, only two main slabs—5 per cent and 18 per cent—will remain, while a higher 40 per cent rate will apply to sin goods.

The workshop, which will conclude on Monday, is designed to enhance MPs’ legislative skills, governance strategies, and political communication. Sessions also focus on advancing the Centre’s development agenda while countering the Opposition.

On Sunday, MPs participated in a day-long session, while another three-hour session is scheduled for Monday. The workshop will be followed by a dinner meeting with PM Modi.

The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. The outcome will be decided by an electoral college of 788 voters, including 543 members of the Lok Sabha, 233 of the Rajya Sabha, and 12 nominated members.

The NDA has nominated Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate, while the INDIA bloc has fielded former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy.

Underscoring the significance of the preparatory sessions, BJP MP Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar said: “We are attending the workshop today and again on Monday. The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for September 9, and it is our party’s tradition to hold a briefing before voting to ensure there is no carelessness. In this regard, officials will discuss key issues with all members.”