Published By : Admin |
November 16, 2014 | 16:00 IST
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I want to acknowledge the traditional owner of the land on which we stand today and pay my respect to their elders and their past and present. Premier Campbell Newman, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Friends,
Thank you very much for hosting this Reception. I am delighted to be present at this function. Congratulations to Brisbane for being such a wonderful host to G20. You did an outstanding job. I know that you have often lived in the shadow of Melbourne and Sydney. This week you have shown the world what a great city and host you are.
Today, I have started my bilateral visit to Australia and, I am pleased that it has begun here. Queensland is at the forefront of relations between India and Australia.
Earlier today, I had the privilege to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Brisbane. This has added a special bond of emotion between us. This is a symbol of the values that we share; the ideals we aspire to; and, the world we wish to build. The credit for this strong partnership between India and Queensland goes to you, Premier Newman and Lord Mayor.
Your missions to India have been very productive and brought our businesses and our people closer. Several Queensland business delegations are visiting India this year. Queensland has emerged as a major source of key resources to power India`s growth development. It is also a major destination of Indian investments. You have supported partnership in education and skills.
Queensland`s universities and research institutions are collaborating closely with India. They have used the opportunities provided by Australia-India Strategic Research Fund well.
I went to Queensland University the other day and met some of your scientists and academics. The joint research we are doing will help our farmers, especially in dry areas, and contribute to food security in India. Queensland`s fruits and vegetables are really good. There is a lot of potential for us to work together.
I am joined on this visit by a delegation of business and academic leaders from India, who are forging strong partnerships with Australia and especially with Queensland.
I am grateful to you for looking after the Indian community of nearly 100,000. Some have been here for generations, some have come more recently. But, they are really happy here. They are the bridge of friendship and understanding between us.
We can also learn and gain a lot from each other in tourism. Lord Mayor, Brisbane has emerged as centre of advanced technology; at the same time Hyderabad is also known as Cyberabad. It is natural that the two cities have a sister-city relationship. I truly welcome the engagement between states and cities. Relations between countries can prosper fully only if we bring our states and cities together.
That is why I am also very keen to involve states in India in our international engagements.
Friends, This is an exciting moment in India. A moment filled with optimism; a desire for change and progress; and the confidence to achieve it. Driven by the energy and the enterprise of our youth. This is a time to forge partnerships in India. You will find a welcoming environment that not only makes it possible, but also easy and smooth.
Here in Brisbane and at this Reception, I feel the sentiment of friendship between our people and the promise of a strong partnership in the years ahead.
I want to thank you once again for the warmth of your welcome and your hospitality.
2024 - Vikas Ki Vijay: Decoding the Modi Era of BJP’s Electoral Dominance
December 31, 2024
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The 2024 elections cemented the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s place in the annals of Indian political history. With 240 seats for BJP and 49 from its allies, Modi’s third consecutive term is not just a mandate but a movement exemplified; a movement for development, a movement for India’s rise. While this triumph stands as a testament to the BJP’s governance model and the enduring connection PM Modi has forged with the masses, it is the remarkable success of the BJP and NDA (National Democratic Alliance) in Assembly elections of various states that have demolished Congress’s attempts to undermine PM Modi’s influence post-2024.
The Inflection Point: Modi’s Ascendancy in 2014
The 2014 general elections marked the BJP’s shift from opposition to dominance. Shri Modi’s leadership turned the BJP into into a cohesive and relentlessly innovative political powerhouse. His mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas gave voters a vision of inclusive growth. In fact, for the first time in the history of the Indian republic that a leader not only led his party to victory three consecutive times, but did so while increasing the votes polled in every election. From more than 17 crore votes in 2014, the party surged to nearly 23 crore in 2019, and a historic 23.5 crore in 2024.
When compared with Congress under Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress’ votes dropped by over 60 lakh votes after his consecutive election. This growth underscores the impact of a leader who has not just inspired but galvanized the nation.
From the heart of rural India to the bustling urban centres, PM Modi’s vision for building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, when India celebrates the centenary of its Independence from the British, has resonated universally. In six states and UTs, the BJP managed to win all seats, and in Odisha, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, the BJP missed the 100% mark by just one seat.
The Congress would be well suited to recollect that the total seats it managed to win in 2014, 2019 and 2024 falls short of the BJP’s tally in 2024 alone – a mandate the Congress said, is synonymous with the ‘Grand-old’ Party’s resurgence.
Defying Anti-Incumbency: Breaking Records in Multiple States
In a country where anti-incumbency has traditionally dominated electoral narratives, the BJP under PM Modi has redefined the rules of engagement. The party’s ability to retain power in states like Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra exemplifies this shift.
In Haryana, the BJP’s journey from 4 seats in 2009 to an unprecedented 48 seats in 2024 demonstrates how a consistent focus on governance and development can overcome political fatigue. The party’s appeal extended across Jat-dominated regions and urban centers, increasing its vote share in every successive election.
Meanwhile, in Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP’s governance model achieved an emphatic third term with 46 out of 60 assembly seats. The vote share crossed 54%, a ringing endorsement of its people-centric policies. In Maharashtra, the Mahayuti Alliance’s triumph with 235 out of 288 seats is a testament to the BJP’s coalition strategy and its resonance with voters across the state. From urban strongholds to rural bastions, Modi’s leadership and the alliance’s cohesive vision captured the electorate’s trust.
Charting New Territories: Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
PM Modi’s leadership has been instrumental in the NDA’s ability to breach strongholds of regional parties, as evidenced by the remarkable victories in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. In Odisha, the BJP not only ended the BJD’s 24-year reign but also formed a government for the first time, capturing 78 of the 147 assembly seats and 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats. This triumph was driven by grassroots mobilization and a focus on last-mile development, embodying Modi’s vision of inclusive progress.
Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, the BJP-led NDA alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 164 out of 175 assembly seats. The coalition’s ability to address developmental concerns resonated with voters across the state. The election saw a surge in female voter turnout, a reflection of PM Modi’s efforts to empower women through policies like the Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Modi’s Magic: The Ultimate Differentiator
While the BJP’s organizational strength is a significant factor in its electoral success, it is PM Modi’s unparalleled connection with the electorate that remains the defining element. Modi’s image as a leader who delivers on promises has become synonymous with transformative governance. Programs like the PM Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Jal Jeevan Mission have not only improved lives but also created an enduring trust in Modi’s leadership.
The Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, ensuring 33% reservation for women in legislatures, highlights Modi’s commitment to gender equality. In 2024, women voters constituted nearly half the electorate, a fact reflected in the BJP’s robust performance across the nation. Additionally, states under BJP’s double-engine governance model—where central and state governments work in tandem—have witnessed exponential growth.
The Vision Ahead: Electoral Reforms for a Modern Democracy
Our electoral process is not merely a tool for choosing leaders but a celebration of collective decision-making that reflects the aspirations of over a billion people. To uphold the sanctity of this process, it is imperative to ensure elections are efficient, transparent, and inclusive, thus strengthening the democratic fabric of the nation.
The BJP, under PM Modi, is moving forward with a vision to strengthen the democratic process itself. The “One Nation, One Election” proposal represents a bold step towards synchronizing state and national elections, aiming to reduce costs, streamline governance, and minimize disruptions. With an estimated saving of Rs. 4.5 lakh crore, this initiative reflects the BJP’s commitment to optimizing resources and enhancing efficiency.
The Congress, which invariably cites discrepancies in the EVMs, conveniently forgets that it was under the BJP and NDA rule that VVPAT – a second layer of authentication – was fully integrated into the election process. These reforms signify a vision where electoral processes are not just a means to an end but a reflection of India’s vibrant democracy.
The Unwavering Connection with India
As Congress’s narratives of a diminishing impact of the Prime Minister’s influence collapse under the weight of BJP’s electoral achievements, it becomes evident that PM Modi’s leadership is unparalleled in Indian politics.
The BJP and NDA are now in government in as many as 16 States and UTs. Even when we consider the past one year alone, the NDA has managed to win in every region vis-à-vis Haryana in the North, Maharashtra in the West, Odisha in East, Andhra Pradesh in the South and Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in the Northeast.
From retaining strongholds to breaching new territories, the BJP’s rise under PM Modi is a story of transformation, trust, and triumph. His unwavering connection with the electorate and his ability to translate vision into action ensure that the BJP’s momentum remains unstoppable, term after term, year after year.
These elections therefore, are not just a testament to Shri Modi’s leadership but were, in all fairness, a celebration of India’s collective aspirations for a brighter, more prosperous future.
Today, I have started my bilateral visit to Australia and, I am pleased that it has begun here. Queensland is at the forefront of relations between India and Australia.
Friends, This is an exciting moment in India. A moment filled with optimism; a desire for change and progress; and the confidence to achieve it. Driven by the energy and the enterprise of our youth. This is a time to forge partnerships in India. You will find a welcoming environment that not only makes it possible, but also easy and smooth.
