Opposition mocked me, but I kept silent, worked: PM Modi on 100 days of govt

Inaugurating projects worth over Rs 8,500 crore at an event here, the Prime Minister said the festival of development continues “on a day when Ganesh Utsav and Milad-un-Nabi and many festivals are being celebrated across the country”.

Addressing the gathering at GMDC Ground, Modi said: “On one hand, every citizen of the country wants to become the brand ambassador of Bharat; wants to take our country forward. On the other hand, some people filled with negativity are doing the reverse. These people are striking on the unity of the country. Sardar (Vallabhbhai) Patel united India by bringing together more than 500 princely states. These power hungry and greedy people want to cut the country into pieces.”

Without naming anyone, he said, “You must have heard that now these people are saying it jointly that ‘we will bring Article 370 back in J&K’. These people want to apply the rule of ‘do samvidhan, do vidhan’ in J&K once again. These people (who are indulging in) appeasement can cross any limit. Filled with hate, these people do not spare a single opportunity to defame India.”

He also accused the Opposition of mocking him.

“You must have seen, in the first 100 days, the kind of talk that was doing the rounds. During these past days, I have been made fun of. People started mocking Modi,” he said. “People were also puzzled. ‘What is Modi doing? Why is he silent?’… But my brothers and sisters of Gujarat, this is the son from the soil of Sardar Patel. With a pledge, I have spent these 100 days for your welfare and for framing policies and taking decisions in the interest of the country while tolerating every mockery and insult. I resolved that I will not reply.”

The Prime Minister, on his first visit to his home state after assuming office for the third consecutive time, said the Opposition wants to target Gujarat and the people of the state should be more alert and vigilant.

“Friends, on the way to development, India will boldly fight against such forces. India now does not have time to lose. We have to maintain peace in India… the way you are blessing me with enthusiasm, I will move forward with renewed energy. I will spend each and every moment of my life for you and your dreams,” Modi said.

Before launching the attack on the Opposition, the PM described how India is working with new resolve and getting appreciation even abroad. “Everybody wants to develop good relations with India. If there is any problem or crisis, people look up to India for resolution,” Modi said.

He said that since the people of India have formed a stable government for the third time and the way India is developing rapidly, expectations across the world have gone up.

“It is this unbroken confidence of 140 crore people because of which I give assurance to the world with full confidence… When the confidence in India increases, it also increases the demand of our skilled youths. When confidence in India increases, it increases exports and the country gets more investment,” he said. “When the confidence in India increases, foreign investors invest in India, they set up factories here.”