Setting the tone for the Lok Sabha elections next year and upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi coined a new term, ‘Ajey Bharat, Atal Bhajpa’ in his valedictory speech at the BJP national executive meet in New Delhi on Sunday. Modi also attacked the Opposition and the idea of Mahagathbandhan besides highlighting the achievements of his government.
Describing ‘Ajay Bharat, Atal Bhajpa’, an ode to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi said the phrase stood for “an India which is not to be subjugated by anyone and BJP which remains firmly committed to its principle”. On Vajpayee, Modi said that the late leader was like a sun in the sky and we will have to become ‘little stars’ to carry his ideas forward.
The prime minister also took potshots at the idea of a United Opposition or ‘Mahagathbandhan’, saying that those who do not see eye-to-eye and those who do not have any ideological similarity are willing to come together just to defeat us. He also said that no one, not even smaller parties, was ready to accept the leadership of the Congress in such an alliance.
Modi, however, said that there is a need for a capable Opposition in a democracy. But those who were a failure in government are also a failure as the Opposition, the prime minister said. He castigated the Opposition for not fighting over real issues but lies. He said that the government will counter the Opposition’s falsehood through “the great work we have done in four years”.
He also said that the party does not seek power as an instrument of sitting on the chair but to work for the people. He added that the BJP has been ruling in Gujarat for over 31 years and it has been possible because they are not hungry for power.
BJP will rule for next 50 years: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah expressed his confidence over the party’s performance in next year’s general elections, stating that it will be in power for next 50 years after its win 2019. Addressing the BJP’s national executive meet, Shah said that the assertion was not borne out of arrogance but on the basis of its performance.
Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working hard and a lot of developmental work has been done by the government which will eventually lead them to victory. Highlighting that the country has now moved towards politics of performance, Shah said the BJP never relaxed even after assuming power in 2014.