Modi frames 2024 battle: Fight against corruption, nepotism, appeasement; singles out a ‘parivaarvadi’ party

Hitting out at the Opposition over nepotism, Modi said, “Today, nepotism and appeasement have brought big misfortune to the country. Now how can this happen in democracy that a political party, and I am giving special emphasis on ‘political party’, has brought such a distortion in the democracy of my country? It can never strengthen India’s democracy. What is that disease: familial politics. And what is their mantra? Party of the family, by the family and for the family. Their life mantra is that their political party belongs to the family, through the family and for the family, Nepotism and partisanship are the enemies of our talent pool. These parties deny capabilities and refuse to accept their competence. And therefore, for the strengthening of the democracy of this country, we must liberate ourselves from nepotism.”

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During his 90-minute speech, Modi addressed people as “mere pyare pariwarijan” or his family and spoke about how his government has taken several steps for the welfare of various sections of society. (PTI)

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PM Modi wished the nation on Independence Day and said a new world order is in the works after the pandemic, similar to the one brought about by the end of World War II. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri)

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Referring to the Manipur crisis, PM Modi said that a path to a solution in the northeastern state will be found through peace. (PTI)

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Prime Minister Modi also inspected the honour guard during Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort. (Reuters)

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In picture, the prime minister is seen meeting NCC cadets after his address to the nation. (PTI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion. (PTI)

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In picture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen taking salute during the 77th Independence Day function in New Delhi. (PTI)

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In his address, PM Modi also said his government has changed the thinking about border villages through its ‘Vibrant Villages’ scheme. “The village on the border is not India’s last village, as was said before, it is the first village of the country,” he said. (PTI)

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This was the Prime Minister’s 10th straight Independence Day address since he assumed the top post, and his last before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (PTI)

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Around 1,800 people from different walks of life were invited from across the country to be a part of the celebrations as special guests. (PTI)

Modi thanked the electorate for electing a stable government with a full majority. Over the past few months, 26 Opposition parties calling themselves the INDIA alliance have come together to take on the BJP. “I also congratulate my countrymen because my countrymen have the ability to understand the roots of the problems and therefore in 2014, after an experience of 30 years, my countrymen decided that in order to take the country forward, a stable and a strong government was needed; a government with full majority was needed. So, the countrymen formed a strong and stable government. And the country was freed from the three decades of uncertainty, instability and political compulsions that were gripping the nation,” said the PM.

Modi argued that the mood for change in the country had brought him to power in 2014, “performance” gave him a second term in 2019, and the next five years would be focused on unprecedented development. More than once in his speech during which he repeatedly recounted his government’s “achievements”, Modi exuded confidence that he would return as Prime Minister after the 2024 elections.

He added, “If the dreams are to be fulfilled, the resolutions are to be achieved, then it is the need of the hour to fight the three evils by holding the bull by its horns. Corruption is at the root of all the problems of our country. Like a termite, it has completely eaten away all the systems of the country, and all the capabilities of the country. Freedom from corruption, fight against corruption in every area and in every sector is the need of the hour. And countrymen, my dear family members, this is Modi’s commitment; it is my personal commitment that I will continue to fight against corruption. Secondly, dynastic politics has destroyed our country. This dynastic system had gripped the country and snatched away the rights of the people of the country.”

Modi argued that corruption was a hurdle in development, nepotism was the enemy of talent and appeasement destroys social justice. “Corruption, nepotism and appeasement; these challenges have flourished which has suppressed the aspirations of the people of our country. These evils rob our country of whatever abilities some people have. These are the things that put a question mark on the hopes and aspirations of our people. Be it our poor, be it Dalit, be it the backward, be it Pasmanda communities, be it our tribal brothers and sisters, or be it our mothers or sisters, we all have to get rid of these three evils for their rights. We must create an atmosphere of aversion towards corruption. Just as dirt creates aversion in our minds because we do not like dirt, there can be no bigger filth than this in public life.”

Significantly, the PM said appeasement had destroyed “social justice”. “Sapne anek hai, sankalp saaf hai, nitiyan spasht hai, niyyat ke saamne sawaliya nishan nahi hai … but we will have to accept some truth … and I have come to the Red Fort to seek your help to redress that. I have come to seek your blessings. In 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of our Independence, the country should become a developed nation … And for that probity, transparency and impartiality needs to be strengthened. Through institutions, citizens, family … it should be a social responsibility,” he said.