Setting the tone for a direct fight in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Opposition grouping saying it was an opportunistic alliance and the NDA will come to power again for the record third time.
As the Opposition named their alliance as ‘INDIA’, Modi coined a new terminology for NDA, calling it “New India, Development, Aspiration”. He was addressing the gathering of 38 parties which met in Delhi at the invitation of the BJP to discuss the 2024 polls. The prominent new allies which attended the meeting included Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde, Jitanram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan.
Though the BJP had opened back channel talks with former allies like the TDP, JDS and Akali Dal, they were not present suggesting that situation was dynamic and both sides were weighing in pros and cons of formally aligning with each other for the Lok Sabha polls. BJP senses an opportunity to expand its base in Andhra and Punjab where they couldn't make any breakthrough even when in alliance with regional parties. Modi also hinted that more allies were welcome to the NDA as he showed regret if any of the ally had felt ignored.
As the Opposition parties picked up a clever name for their grouping, it took Modi to drill in people that how these two alliances were different. “NDA represents sabka vikas. we had long tradition of coalitions. But those formed with negativity never succeeded. The NDA was formed in 1998 not to remove anyone or for the sake of opposition but to bring stability. It’s not only the country which trusts us, even the world trusts us to provide stability.”
This is where Modi tried to draw the differences between 'they versus us'. “Even when in opposition, we did positive politics and played a role to strengthen the democracy. We never asked for foreign help to dislodge government,” he said in an oblique reference to Rahul Gandhi’s statement abroad.
Modi pitched the NDA as a grouping which addresses the regional aspirations of the country. He termed the NDA as a “beautiful rainbow of regional aspirations”. This is aimed to show that while BJP was a mainstream party with presence everywhere, it will not shy away from taking help from smaller parties.
“We have seen previous governments when there were power centres even above the PM; policy paralysis was the main highlight of the UPA regime. It was known for corruption and infighting,” he said.
The prime minister also highlighted the work done by his government in the last nine years. “After 2015-16, over 13.5 crore people have came out of poverty. Biggest beneficiaries have been Dalits, the marginalised and women who belong to these categories. We have ensured women led development,” he said.
“For NDA, it’s Nation First, Progress First, Empowerment of People First. Even Experts agree that NDA is good for India. NDA is not a coalition of compulsion, it symbolises contribution; everyone here gets credit and everyone contributes,” Modi said.
Modi referred to civility in public life saying, they kept and made efforts to maintain political civility while the opposition continued to abuse them. “NDA gave Bharat Ratna to Pranab Mukherjee who belonged to Congress. We gave Padma awards to Mulayam Singh, Sharad Pawar, Tarun Gogoi, Muzaffar Baig. we have accepted their long contribution to nation building,” Modi said.
Hitting out at the opposition, Modi said, “They are underestimating the intelligence of common men. Public can see why these parties are getting together. Public knows what is the glue which is binding them together. How due to small benefits they are coming together. In Kerala, the Left and Congress are at each others' throat, but in Bengaluru they are together. In the same manner despite at the receiving end of TMC, the Left are silent about it in Bengaluru. Their cadres are confused when they who were opposed to each other have come together.”
Modi presented a positive outlook for his government and grouping for the 2024 polls. “History and chemistry is being seen by everyone. Now arithmetic will be our side. NDA got 37 percent in 2014, which rose to 45 percent in 2019, now in 2024! We are sure that people will give us over 50 percent vote share.”
