PM's Speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence in the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi's optimism was not just limited to electoral success; he also promised bold decisions and a transformation that would position India as the thirdlargest economic power globally during his next term.
The Prime Minister, while refraining from getting into specific numbers, confidently asserted that the NDA would surpass 400 seats, with the BJP securing 370 seats in the Lok Sabha. This ambitious prediction reflects the PM's belief in the prevailing mood of the nation, a sentiment he claims to sense without delving into numerical intricacies.
Addressing the economic trajectory of the country, PM Modi highlighted India's remarkable ascent from being the 11th largest economy in 2014 to its current status as the 5th largest. Unleashing a scathing critique on the opposition, particularly the Congress, Modi emphasized their apparent silence on India's economic strides and asserted that his guarantee for the third term is India's elevation to the position of the third-largest economic power.He pledged that the third term of his government would witness substantial decisions, ones that would lay a robust foundation for the next 1,000 years.
The PM highlighted the unprecedented employment opportunities available for the youth today, citing the registration of over 18 crore new subscribers with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in the last decade. While the PM claimed success in controlling inflation during his tenure, economic indicators are multifaceted and influenced by a myriad of factors beyond the ruling party's policies.
The PM's criticism of India's opposition raised pertinent questions about the mistakes by the past leaders, it is essential to approach these claims with a nuanced understanding of the complexities of India's political history. A healthy democracy thrives on constructive debate, and the focus should be on fostering an environment where differing opinions contribute to the nation's progress rather than perpetuating a narrative of mistrust and blame.
A robust opposition is vital for a thriving democracy, and constructive criticism should be encouraged. But it is also true that the opposition hasn’t been able to get its act together. And as the PM rightly said, unless the opposition changes their old ways of doing politics, its leaders may only be found in the audience gallery of the parliament after the 2024 parliament polls. Considering the state of the much-hyped opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A, which is fast unraveling, the PM’s prediction may very well come true.