New Delhi: The constituents of BJP-led NDA allies on Tuesday expressed full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of results of Lok Sabha elections, saying the past five years have brought about a change in India’s perception that it was a soft state.
At the meeting attended by leaders of 36 parties, including Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal, the leaders expressed full confidence about the victory of the alliance on May 23 and said 2019 will be “a decisive moment” in history. Leaders from AIADMK, Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palanisamy, his deputy O. Panneerselvam and those from Asom Gana Parishad, and AJSU also attended the meeting. They said the ruling alliance had become “a principal pillar” of Indian politics.
In his remarks, Modi said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was an “organic entity”, ” stronger than before” and “a strong pillar to fulfill regional aspirations”. He said the election narrative was seeing a change and said “the poor were the biggest caste”. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Modi and other NDA leaders expressed concern over attempts by the opposition to raise questions over Election Commission’s credibility. They said that there could be global branding of Indian general election, but the opposition was creating roadblocks.
He said NDA was committed to addressing problems of all regions. The meeting passed a resolution which hailed the development initiatives of the NDA government and noted that it had raised India’s stature in the world. “There has been a change in the perception that India is a soft state. The era of India being a soft state has ended,” Rajnath Singh said, adding that India has achieved success in diplomacy and security. The NDA, he said, has left a new mark in governance. Singh said the the NDA has firm plans for the next five years and it will invest Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure and take the economy to new heights.
“We are committed to making the country strong, prosperous, developed — as per the dream of the freedom fighters,” he said. Food Minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan said the election was “a tsunami” and not a mere wave in favour of Modi. He said candidates sought votes in the name of Modi. “All of us expressed our faith in the leadership of the Prime Minister,” he added. He said NDA had shown how an alliance can be run successfully and noted that Modi had shown a big heart in dealing with allies. He attacked opposition parties for raising questions over EVMs, saying they have nothing to say when they win elections.
BJP sources said leaders from Apna Dal (Sonelal), Pattali Makkal Katchi, Naga People’s Front, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Tamil Maanila Congress, Sikkim Democratic Front, Republican Party of India (A), Bodoland People’s Front, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, All India N.R. Congress, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, National People’s Party, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and Shiv Sangram attended the meeting.
Other leaders were from Goa Forward Party, Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, Bharath Dharmajana Sena, Kerala Congress (Thomas), Nishad Party, Puthiya Needhi Katchi, Rabha Hasong Joint Movement, All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam, Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaingar Peravai, Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam, Naga People’s Front, All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, Indian Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam and Puratchi Bharatham.