New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said India had achieved several milestones in the national and international stages due to the present ruling disposition, at once reiterating that the days of vote bank and dynastic politics were over.
Modi was speaking at the 42nd foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“There are two types of politicians in the country – those who are for parivar bhakti and those for rashtra bhakti. The former work only for themselves. They may be in separate states, but are irrevocably connected with the tenet of parivarvaad. This has harmed the country. They have stymied the growth of the youth. They have betrayed the people,” Modi told the gathering of BJP workers.
He said BJP was the only party that was making people aware of the ills of dynastic politics. “We made it an electoral issue too,” Modi said, adding: “Dynasties are enemies of democracy.”
These parties have encouraged anyay, atyachar, hingsa, the prime minister said, “and worked against democracy”.
At the beginning of his speech, Modi lauded how India today “stands for its own interests before the world, without fear or pressure”.
“When the entire world is divided into two rival factions, India is being seen as a nation that can firmly speak about humanity and human interests,” he said.
“We need to live and fight for India because India is setting new goals and achieving them,” Modi said.
The prime minister appreciated his government’s efforts to include the marginalised in India’s growth. “Dalits, tribals, farmers, the youth, women – are our new strengths. Look how women came forward to vote for us in the last several elections. This is not just an electoral phenomenon, but a social awakening,” Modi said.
Modi said laws related to crimes against women have been strengthened “so that they feel safer”. “We have even made life easy in the kitchen and home too. There is gas, electricity, ration… It is our responsibility to see to it that women participate more robustly in India’s progress. The more economically independent they are, the better it is for the country.”
The prime minister listed his government’s recent achievements in his speech – “180 crore Covid vaccines, free ration for 80 crore poor, Rs 3.5 crore spent so that the poor don’t sleep on an empty stomach.”
“The was a time when people had accepted that nothing would be done for the country. There was despair. Those who did vote bank politics, made promises only to a few, keeping most people longing for things. There was bias and corruption,” Modi said.
“But today, every citizen can proudly say that India is changing, India is going ahead.”
The prime minister also said this year’s foundation day was important for three reasons – “First, we are celebrating 75 years of Independence; second, new opportunities are coming up for India in the rapidly changing global situation and third, BJP’s double-engine governments have come to power in four states. After three decades, the BJP has also sent 100 members to the Rajya Sabha.”
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