NDA is a pillar of democracy: PM
■ Modi expresses displeasure over EVM row
Confident of retaining power at the Centre, the BJP-led NDA on Tuesday showcased its unity over dinner ahead of the counting of votes on May
23 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming his government’s tenure as a “successful experiment” and hailing the ruling alliance as an “organic entity” and a “strong pillar” of Indian democracy.
Addressing leaders of
36 parties, Mr Modi termed the Lok Sabha polls as a decisive moment in India’s democracy and stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor. The NDA unanimously passed a resolution describing itself as an alliance of “dreams and aspirations” of the country and hailed the vision of Mr. Modi
The resolution also pledged to make India “strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive” by
2022 when it completes 75 years of its independence, Union minister Rajnath Singh said.
Most exit polls have predicted that the NDA is likely to retaining power.
On a day when the Opposition camp showed its strength on the EVM issue, BJP chief Amit Shah hosted dinner for NDA allies that was attended by Mr Modi and representatives of 36 parties, including JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sean’s Uddhav Thackeray, SAD’s Parkash Singh Badal, LJP’s Ram Vilas Paswan.
Expressing displeasure over the Opposition’s stand on the EVM issue, Mr Modi said that when there should be efforts for global branding of the India’s electoral process, the Opposition is trying to project an adverse picture of it. Mr Modi also told NDA allies that neither votes nor forming a government was the ruling alliance’s aim but a “New India.”
The NDA expressed confidence that the people will give the Modi-led government another chance based on its track record and vision and asserted that Mr Modi “deserves” another term. The NDA also condemned the vote bank politics of the Opposition and its “old school thinking” which is not acceptable to “young voters if the 21st century”.
Confident of retaining power at the Centre, the BJP-led NDA on Tuesday showcased its unity over dinner ahead of the counting of votes on May 23 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming his government’s tenure as a “successful experiment” and hailing the ruling alliance as an “organic entity” and a “strong pillar” of Indian democracy.
Earlier, Mr Modi had also attended a “Swagat aur Abhaar Milan” hosted by BJP president Mr Shah at the party headquarters for the Union ministers.
Mr Modi termed his election campaign as a “pilgrimage” and turned the completion of his government’s tenure as a “successful experiment”.
The Prime Minister also said the alliance should be further strengthened and congratulated his Council of Ministers.
The meeting lasted for nearly two hours.
At the NDA dinner, allies congratulated Mr Modi and his team for the development-oriented decisions to benefit the comman man and keeping in mind the regional aspirations.
The resolution, proposed by Mr Paswan, mentioned how the Modi-led NDA played a key role in taking up issues like terrorism and money laundering at the global platform and showed its firmness on the national security issue.
Mr Singh said India showed the world that it is no more a soft state when it comes to diplomacy and security. The resolution mentioned India’s efforts for UN’s declaration of Masood Azhar a global terrorist and the global support the Modi government received for the antimissile test.
The resolution also condemned the political violence in states like West Bengal and Kerala, with Mr Modi expressing concern over it.
He also expressed concern over how institutions like the EC, the CAG and the security forces, among others, have come under attack from the Opposition.
The NDA leaders vowed to carry forward the development work initiated by the Modi-led government and to achieve “inclusive, prosperous and developed India,” which was the “dream of freedom fighters” by 2022 when the country will celebrate 75th anniversary of Independence.
Mr Modi told NDA allies that instead of caste, creed, religion and other such issues, the narrative of a government should be how to benefit the poor and eradicate regional disparity.
The resolution also hailed the Modi government’s schemes and asserted that it earned global recognition for its initiatives to mitigate poverty showing faster results than previous regimes.