New Delhi, Dec 29: Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the choice of people is the BJP and there is a consensus among them that the country does not need a “mili-juli sarkar” as an era of such governments resulted in loss of optimism and gave a bad image to India in the world.
In an interview with India Today magazine, the prime minister said “Modi’s guarantee” is not a formula made for winning elections but it is the trust of the poor.
“Today, every poor person in the country knows that Modi will not back down from his duty. This trust of the poor also gives me the energy that even if I completely exhaust myself or push myself over my limit, I would not let this trust be violated,” he said.
Modi also said that to make India developed by 2047, the focus will be on GYAN — “G for Garib, Y for Yuva, A for Annadata, N for Nari Shakti”.
Discussing ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, Modi drew parallels between the 1922-1947 period and the next 25 years. “From 1922 to the period up to 1947, everyone wanted to contribute towards the freedom movement. I see a similar optimism among the people to make India a developed country by the time we celebrate 100 years of independence. This energy is my driving force,” he said. “Hum GYAN pe dhyaan denge, GYAN ko sammaan denge toh Viksit Bharat banega. GYAN means G for Garib, Y for Yuva, A for Annadata, N for Narishakti,” the prime minister said.
Asked about the BJP selecting fresh faces as chief ministers of three heartland states Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Modi said it may appear like a fresh trend but it is not new for the party. In fact, he said, he is the best example of this practice within the BJP.
Modi pointed out that when he became the chief minister of Gujarat, he had no prior administrative experience and was not even elected to the assembly.
“Most of the other parties today are ‘parivarvadi (dynastic)’ parties and these find this democratic churn difficult,” he said.
Modi asserted that the BJP is a cadre-based party, driven by a clear mission and has the ability to nurture multiple generations of leadership at the same time.
Asked about the BJP not ruling in any of the big southern and eastern states, the prime minister pointed to the party’s expanding footprint in the country and said “there is no corner of the country where our party does not have support”. “From local bodies in Kerala to being the principal opposition in many states, our party is doing robust work among the people,” he said.
Modi also underlined that the BJP governs in 16 states and is the principal opposition in eight. The prime minister further said the BJP is in government in six northeastern states, including predominantly Christian-majority ones such Nagaland and Meghalaya. He also pointed out that “we are the single largest party as far as southern India is concerned, in terms of Lok Sabha seats”.
Exuding confidence about the 2024 general elections, Prime Minister Modi said there is a consensus among the people, experts, opinion makers and friends from the media too that “our country doesn’t need a mili-juli sarkar”. (PTI)
