MODI EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER DYNASTIES ACTIVE IN INDIAN POLITICS
NEW DELHI: Attacking dynasty politics as the “new tyranny” in democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians on Tuesday to join public life in large numbers to help root out the practice and reshape the country’s destiny by becoming agents of change.
Addressing the National Youth Parliament 2021, the PM said: “There are some changes still pending. Political dynasty is the biggest enemy of democracy. It’s a challenge that needs to be uprooted. Days are over for people to win elections on the basis of surnames.”
Dynasty politics is also a major reason behind political and social corruptions, Modi said.
NEW DELHI: Attacking dynasty politics as the “new tyranny” in democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians on Tuesday to join public life in large numbers to help root out the practice and reshape the country’s destiny by becoming agents of change.
Modi’s comments precede assembly elections due in the coming months in Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and the Union territory of Puducherry. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress, India’s main opposition party, Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Trinamool Congress of West Bengal of promoting dynasty politics.
Addressing the National Youth Parliament 2021, the Prime Minister said: “There are some changes still pending. Political dynasty is the biggest enemy of democracy. It’s a challenge that needs to be uprooted. Days are over for people to win elections on the basis of surnames.”
The BJP and Modi have in the past questioned the Gandhi family’s hold over the Congress and accused it of sidelining leaders who may challenge its leadership. It has targeted TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister over the role played in the party and state by Abhishek Banerjee, her nephew and a member of Parliament.
“This political dynasty is a new tyranny that increases the burden of incompetence on the country. It also promotes family and self interests instead of {putting} nation first. Dynasty politics is also a major reason behind political and social corruptions. They think if their ancestors were not caught, they too can breathe easily. They see such examples in their own houses. So, these people have no respect or fear for law,” the PM said as he addressed an audience composed mainly of students participating in the Youth Parliament.
It’s the first time that the event has been organized in the iconic Central Hall of Parliament.
Modi called upon the young Indians to become agents of change. “The responsibility to change this situation lies on the youth. Come in politics in large numbers with the idea to work for India.” He also said that as long as common people stay away from politics, the culture of dynastic politics would continue.
The Prime Minister maintained that the people of India had started supporting those who are honest and performing—seen by many as an oblique reference to his own government.
“Performance and honesty have become necessary conditions for Indian politics. Those with a legacy of corruption now bear the burden of corruption. They are unable to come out of it. The country supports honest people. Now, lawmakers also understand that a CV [curriculum vitae] needs to be strong and a balance sheet of work should be foolproof.” He said that in the past, family members tended to look down on someone if he or she wanted to join politics, but things had changed now.
Modi said he will put out some of the speeches made during the Youth Parliament from his Twitter handle. Twenty-eight people from different state are participating in the event.