In a historic speech delivered at the BJP National Council Meet at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, Shri Narendra Modi laid out a comprehensive, development oriented, inclusive and futuristic vision for India. Shri Modi affirmed that his idea of India was a nation where truth and non-violence reigned supreme, where there is a free flow of thoughts and where all faiths are treated equally. Shri Modi said that his idea of India is a nation where everyone lives peacefully and harmoniously as one family, where there is prosperity and happiness, where service of the poor is nothing less than service of God, where the Matru Shakti of the nation is honoured and where the Motherland is superior to heaven. The NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate affirmed that for several years the people chose rulers (Shasaks), now it is time for them to choose servants (Sevaks) for 60 months.
Shri Modi presented the development of India in the form of a vibrant and colourful rainbow, where each aspect adds its own distinct colour and value to the development of India. The seven things that make up the rainbow of India’s development are, India’s strong and deep rooted family system, Agriculture-Animal development, India’s Matru Shakti (women power), Natural Resources (Jal, Jameen, Jungle), Youth power, Vibrant Democracy and Knowledge. He talked at length about each and every of the above aspects and how each is crucial to India’s development.
On the governance side, Shri Modi said that for him the equal development of every region is important. He asked, “Why is the Eastern part of our nation yearning for more development? Why this imbalance? I assure you that the development of underdeveloped regions remains our priority. Be it Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal and the North East, we believe in equal and all-round development.”
Shri Modi categorically stated that regional aspirations should not be seen as a problem but as opportunities for development, adding that every state must have the passion to develop. Shri Modi pointed that the federal structure of India must be respected not just as a part of the constitution but in letter and spirit. He said that the PM, CMs, Ministers at Centre, State must all work together, shoulder to shoulder for the development of India. He came down heavily on the big brother attitude of Delhi, saying that it should end.
He emphasized on emerging from the shadows of bad governance and embracing good governance. Shri Modi opined that good governance is not for the rich but for the poor. He commented that only bills will not do but what is needed is will and
dil (heart). He added that the nation has seen several acts but now it is time for action. Shri Modi avowed that good governance is not about doles but about development and delivery. Targeting the Prime Minister for forming a new committee for every problem Shri Modi said, “We do not need committees but we need commitment. The nation is already reeling under the burden of several committees formed in the last decade.”
Elaborating further on the governance vision, Shri Modi talked about the importance of skill development. He opined that there should be a separate court for black marketers and they should be punished at the earliest for their wrongs. He assured that all the relevant steps would be taken, including forming the right laws, task forces required to ensure that black money is back from abroad and it is used for the welfare of the poor. Shri Modi stressed on giving importance to next generation infrastructure including railways, gas grids, integration of river, optic fibre network etc. He called for seeing urbanisation as an opportunity and not as a threat. Shri Modi talked about twin cities and satellite towns that are modern and involve latest technology. He called for giving special focus to agro-infrastructure. On education, Shri Modi asked why cannot every state have an IIT, IIM and AIIMS? On the health sector, Shri Modi commented that the focus should be on wellness instead of curing sickness. Mincing no words about the fact that dignity of women is not always respected, Shri Modi said that the days of seeing women as homemakers have gone, now it is time to see them as nation builders.
Shri Modi spoke about the vitality of creating a globally recognized and respected ‘Brand India’ that is built of 5 Ts- talent, tradition, tourism, trade and technology.
On the political front, Shri Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress Party for their anti-people policies and the elitist statements continuously made by their leaders. Describing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as different from all other elections, Shri Modi pointed out that never before have things been in such a mess. He added that the 2014 Elections are not about a change of government but are a ray of hope for a billion Indians. Comparing the AICC session with the BJP National Council, Shri Modi affirmed that one was an attempt to save the party while the BJP National Council is thinking about how to save the nation.
Commenting on the failure of the Congress to declare a PM candidate, Shri Modi said that the Congress workers converged from all parts of India with a hope that the BJP candidate would be announced but all they got as more cylinders of gas. He effectively countered the view of the Congress Vice-President that the selection of PM happens by democracy and is decided by MPs. He asked where were democratic traditions in 1948, 1984 and in 2004? He further said that the real reason why the Congress is not naming the PM candidate because when defeat is starring at their face, no mother would ever sacrifice her son. Shri Modi also said that the Congress will give tickets to those people who have the Congress in their hearts whereas the BJP will give tickets to those who have the interests of the nation in their heart.
Taking on the elitist remarks by Congress leaders and their anti-poor mindset, Shri Modi said that now all tea-sellers are experiencing a sense of pride across the nation. He remarked that some people have been brought up in such a way that they cannot see children of poor families, children belonging to the backward sections of India society rising on their own merit. “Who Naamdar Hain Aur Mai Kamdaar Hoon” remarked Shri Modi. Shri Modi added that the atmosphere across the nation is such that even those with no association with BJP and politics are writing to him and wanting to get involved in nation building. He told the Karyakartas to give topmost importance to the polling booth, saying that is where elections are won and lost.
The entire top leadership of the BJP, including Shri LK Advani, Shri Rajnath Singh, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Shri Arun Jaitley, Chief Ministers Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje, Dr. Raman Singh and other leaders were present.