The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): In a blistering attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew a stark contrast between his own governance philosophy of putting the “nation first” and that of his political rivals, whom he accused of being driven by a “family first” approach. The scathing remarks came during his address at the ‘India Today’ conclave on Saturday.
Modi asserted that while the world grapples with uncertainty, one certainty is India’s continued rapid growth trajectory under his leadership. Exuding confidence in retaining power after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister declared that the next five years would witness decisive policies, decisive actions, and development scaled to unprecedented heights – all aimed at establishing a stable, capable, and formidable India on the global stage.
In an apparent swipe at opposition leaders facing corruption allegations, Modi stated that his government has maintained “zero-tolerance” towards graft, granting investigative agencies a free hand. “That is why some people are having a pain in their stomach,” he quipped, referring to rivals who have accused his administration of misusing probe bodies for political vendetta.
Highlighting his government’s crackdown on financial crimes, the Prime Minister revealed that while only Rs 5,000 crore worth of assets were seized until 2014, his tenure has seen attachments exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore, alongside arrests linked to cyber crimes, narcotics, and terrorism.
Modi dismissed opposition campaigns seeking to malign him, stating that their “intentions and commitment are under a question mark.” He claimed the country has clearly signaled its rejection of such efforts with a resounding “so sorry” – a tongue-in-cheek reference to a popular parody segment on the news channel hosting the event.
Dwelling on his government’s welfare initiatives, the Prime Minister underscored schemes like Mudra and SVANidhi, which provide easy access to loans for the underprivileged and street vendors, without the need for guarantees. “These issues may not make media headlines, but they impact people’s lives,” he remarked.
In a thinly veiled jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi contrasted his focus on “Industry 4.0” – the integration of digital technologies into modern manufacturing – with Gandhi’s visits to “garages” and interactions with mechanics, which the Prime Minister dismissed as outdated optics.
Modi elaborated on his vision of minimizing governmental interference in citizens’ lives, revealing an ambitious goal of removing the government from people’s daily affairs by 2047. “A common man should have the freedom to lead his life the way he wants,” he asserted, citing his administration’s efforts to repeal hundreds of superfluous laws and regulations.
The Prime Minister also touted his government’s tax reforms, which have allowed individuals to keep more of their hard-earned income, and initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, which have collectively saved citizens over Rs 3.5 lakh crore.
As the nation gears up for high-stakes elections, Modi’s combative speech positioned his governance model as one centered on national progress and citizens’ empowerment, while portraying his rivals as being driven by narrow, dynastic interests – setting the stage for an intense ideological clash in the months ahead.
