Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday stated that good voter turnout (in Srinagar) in J&K reflected people’s confidence, their trust in the government.
He stated it, in an exclusive interview with NDTV this evening, while asserting that BJP would “make a big, historic record in these elections.”
PM Modi was responding to a question if he was overconfident when he talked about big gains for BJP from South and East India in the General Elections-2024.
“I don’t flaunt, even when I’m confident and overconfidence is not my way of living. I prefer to remain grounded. I think (dream) big; I’m far-sighted yet I don’t make haughty claims. We talk about these gains because of people’s perceptions, which we have gathered from the ground. Be it, South, East, North, West or Central India, the people know that this (BJP-led NDA government) is performing. It understands their (people’s) aspirations; knows about their potential and this government is working to take the country to new heights of glory,” he said.
To validate his point further, Modi cited the example of good voter turnout in Srinagar parliamentary constituency, which recorded the second highest voter turnout (around 39 percent or so) since 1989.
“You can see the example of J&K and the electorate there. Around forty percent people came out to vote (in Srinagar). This was a huge voter turnout after almost forty years. This reflects people’s confidence; their trust in the government. That’s why I say that BJP is going to create a big, historic record in these elections,” he exuded confidence.
VISION IS CLEAR; BLUEPRINT IS READY
When asked as to what would be the biggest focus of his governance in the third term, he said that he had a clear vision about his mission and his blue-print was also ready.
“My thoughts are never staggered in pieces or patches. My thought process has always been comprehensive and integrated. Secondly, working for media attention has never been my habit. I believe that in a nation’s journey, there are certain turning points, it is always beneficial to seize them as opportunities. If you hold them, they prove to be transformational. One should not let go of these opportunities,” he said.
PM Modi said, “After a gigantic exercise of deliberations; introspections, spanning the past several years, I’ve prepared a blue-print for the next 25 years; five years; one year and 100 days. Lately, I’ve added 25 days, dedicated to youth to channelise energy. We have a clear vision of what we have to achieve and what will be our focus.”
Sharing his vision, he asserted that the youth of a nation should dream big.
“I’ll try to inculcate this habit among our youth. They are our power-house. We’ll have to channelize them in right direction. For me, ‘Virasat Aur Vikas’ (heritage and development) is an integral block. I believe, now our country is at the cusp of a historic moment. This is our moment. This is Bharat’s time and we will not let go of this opportunity,” Modi asserted.
WHY INDIA LAGGED BEHIND
Reasoning out as to why India lagged behind in its growth trajectory in comparison to other similarly placed nations, the Prime Minister said, “We had made poverty our virtue. Our country was ruined because infrastructure-development was marred by sluggish approach and corruption.”
CHANGE IN BUREAUCRATIC MIND-SET
PM Modi stated that change in the mind-set of bureaucracy was a very crucial aspect.
“My work approach is that the government officers should know what their duties and responsibilities are. They are not there only bothering about their promotional avenues or aspects. Physical, social, technological infrastructures are building blocks of development of my vision. My focus is to integrate scope, scale, speed and skill for infrastructure development, besides up-scaling Human Resource Development,” he said, while sharing his vision of development.
In this connection, he referred to ‘Gati Shakti’, which, he said, “has 1600 layers and is a unique process.”
“We are giving focus on training, recruitment, use of technology to bring about transformational change in bureaucracy, its functioning, and mindset. We will focus on change in bureaucracy, decision making and push to massive infrastructure development,” he said.
DIGITAL REVOLUTION EMPOWERED POOR
PM Modi said that the digital revolution (devolution) empowered the poor and strengthened their belief in the (governance) system.
“This will bring equality. In Artificial Intelligence, India will lead as we’ve youth talent, power of (cheap) data. I believe in Pro-People, Good Governance (P2G2),” he said.
NEED TO REDUCE BURDEN ON AGRICULTURE SECTOR
PM Modi said that for growth and development of the country and its poor strata, it was imperative to reduce burden and dependence on the agriculture sector. “This cannot happen through law but through diversification. The latter can be achieved through promotion of industrial networks in a decentralised way.”
“I believe that India is at a take-off stage in case of industrial revolution,” he said.
While refuting opposition’s charges about growing unemployment, PM Modi said that risk taking capacity among citizens should increase. “Labour force participation has increased,” he said, while enumerating measures taken to increase growth in the employment sector.
Responding to queries about political opponents, he said, “Most I.N.D.I.Alliance leaders are out on bail. They are there promoting dynastic politics to set the future of their children and not that of the country or its children. People don’t trust them. Thirdly, we have a good track-record of ten years in eliminating terrorism, promoting solid economic and defence policy, development, foreign policy, etc.”
Rebutting opposition’s charges projecting BJP as a “communal force”, he said, “Alliance’s politics is totally based on religion and caste, which they use as a vote-bank. As a matter of fact, they are the most-communal people, pseudo-secular. They are promoting vote-jihad. I’ve to expose their mask of pseudo-secularists even if I’m branded as communal.”
“It’s Congress which demolished the essence of the Constitution,” he stated, giving a detailed account of Congress’ leadership’s “unconstitutional steps” aimed at eroding the sanctity of the Constitution.
“Challenge is intrinsic to every work in this world. Managing relations with the neighbours is no exception to this rule. ‘Neighbourhood first’ and ‘Act-East’ stratagems form the core of our foreign affairs’ policy,” Modi said, while responding to a question about challenges in complex relationships with the neighbouring nations.
How he evolved himself as a “rare self-taught leader”, in response to this question, he said that constant travelling shaped his persona; made him open to innovate, learn from anywhere and everywhere.
“You cannot measure my policies through academic prism or that of experience. Interests of my nation guide my vision and policies,” he said.
“My message to the youth of the country is to explore India’s journey. Start the journey with a determination to do and not just with an objective to achieve,” he said.
