NEW DELHI: After the victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, PM Narendra Modi on Monday pitched for 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at the BJP HQ in Delhi, PM Modi said, "after 2014, discourse in the nation is about development only. We took three decades to remove the poison of casteism from Gujarat. We took Gujarat on the path of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'."
PM Modi, without naming any political party said, "sadly, a few people who were hungry for power, they tried to sow the seeds of casteism. Gujarat has been rejecting those people and has rejected them again."
"We also have to be more careful now on. Our Mantra remains 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', PM Modi said to the jubilant party workers.
The PM, who was speaking at an event to celebrate BJP's victories in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, said that the victory in Gujarat is a verdict on development.
"So many conspiracies were hatched in Gujarat by Congress, misinformation was being spread. People cannot bear if anyone makes fun of 'vikas'," he said.
Terming today's victories "historic", the Prime Minister went on to list his party's victory records in the past elections.
"In Gujarat, BJP won all the seats it contested in 1989 Lok Sabha polls. We won most of the seats we contested in 1990. In 1995, in 1998, in 2002, in 2007 and in 2012 we won. We won most seats in Lok Sabha polls too," he said.
Speaking in front of a packed house of BJP supporters, the Prime Minister thanked the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for "choosing the path of development".
"During Uttar Pradesh elections it was said BJP would lose due to GST effect in urban areas, same was said in Gujarat elections and local body polls in Maharashtra. The results in Himachal Pradesh show that if you don't do development and are embroiled in all wrong acts then after 5 years people will not accept you," he said.
The PM also defended the attack on his decision to introduce the GST bill and implement the demonetisation policy last year.
"Recent elections results have proven that the country is ready for reform, is looking towards things that perform in a positive way and believes in transformation," he added.
In a clear allusion to the Congress joining forces with the Patidars on the promise of caste quota, Modi said that some people "played their tricks" to divide the Gujaratis but could not succeed.
"You defeated them, but they would still continue with their tricks. Therefore with the mantra of unity and brotherhood, all should walk together...We will have to be more vigilant now," he added.
Modi said that the Gujarat victory is not "ordinary" as it is the sixth consecutive victory in spite of his moving from Gujarat to the Centre.
"We did not get the honour of fighting for the country's freedom. But we do have the chance to devote ourselves fully and to toil hard for the progress and development of this country," Modi said.
