Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday February 9, surprised Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to different parties with lunch at the Parliament canteen. BJD leader Sasmit Patra, RSP leader N K Premachandran, TDP's K Ram Mohan Naidu, BSP's Ritesh Pandey and some BJP leaders, including Union minister L Murugan, BJP’s Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and BJP’s Nagaland S Phangnon Konyak and Heena Gavit, were with Modi as they had lunch together. (Image: Narendra Modi/X)
The MPs got a call from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to meet the PM in Parliament. Upon reaching, they were asked to wait briefly before PM Modi joined them, News18 reported. Modi then led the MPs to the Parliament's first-floor canteen, saying “I want to take you out for a punishment!”. (Image: Heena Gavit/X)
During the hour-long lunch, MPs engaged in a mix of political and personal discussions. One of the MPs told News18, that there was no set format for the conversation with the PM and it was the lawmakers who were “setting the agenda”. “The Prime Minister was listening to us while we kept on asking question after question.” (Image: Narendra Modi/X)
PM Modi’s favourite dish | Among the first questions put to PM Modi by an MP was, "What is your favourite dish?" Modi promptly replied, "khichdi," as per News18 sources. (Image: PTI)
PM Modi on time management and work pressure | When an MP asked the Prime Minister how he manages his time and deals with work pressure while travelling and working late hours, PM Modi is said to have replied, “I am used to working for long hours; sometimes, I don’t realise that I haven’t slept for an entire day.” The PM reportedly added that his experience as the Chief Minister of Gujarat comes in handy. (Image: PTI)
PM Modi on attending Nawaz Sharif's daughter wedding in 2015 | An MP questioned the PM about his sudden attendance at Nawaz Sharif's daughter's wedding in Pakistan in 2015. The PM explained that after being in Parliament until 2 pm, he went on a scheduled trip to Afghanistan. On the way back, he decided to visit Pakistan, despite objections from the Special Protection Group. After personally contacting Sharif and ensuring security clearance, the Prime Minister arrived in Pakistan. (Image: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal/X)
PM Modi on COVID-19 | Some MPs sought insights into the PM's perspective on managing the COVID-19 crisis. Sources say PM Modi told the lawmakers that his experience of managing the situation post the devastating 2001 earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat came in handy. He added that he was also able to rely on that experience to advise the Nepal government following the April 2015 earthquake that struck the Himalayan nation. (Image: Narendra Modi/X)
PM Modi on his relaxation routine | As the lunch concluded, Modi was asked about his relaxation routine. He reportedly responded “I do yoga without fail and keep my mind and body relaxed through various forms of exercise and meditation.” “I am eating food with you and I am completely relaxed. I am not a PM 24×7 or wherever I go. I am as much as a normal human being as each one of you.” (Image: Narendra Modi/X)