The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on July 18 asserted it will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he will return to the helm for a third straight term with a "huge majority".
On a day 26 opposition parties held their conclave in Bengaluru to take on the ruling alliance, the BJP held a grand show of strength of its allies who lauded the country's development and expressed faith in Modi's leadership in a resolution passed at their get-together.
Thirty-nine parties attended the NDA meeting in New Delhi, claiming that the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. "Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented," their resolution said.
As the world's most popular leader, Mr. Modi enjoys the unwavering trust of millions of Indians, it said.
People's support for the ruling coalition grew manifold in 2019 than in 2014 under Mr. Modi, they said, asserting that voters have been "rejecting and rubbishing the lies, rumours and baseless allegations of opposition parties and the country is reposing faith in the leadership of the NDA coalition".
"All parties part of the NDA repose full faith in the leadership of PM Modi to attain a bigger mandate in 2024 than that won in 2019," they said.
Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde proposed the resolution in the meeting while the AIADMK's K Palaniswami and the AGP's Atul Bora supported it.
"All constituents of the NDA resolved that it will unitedly contest the Lok Sabha elections under PM Modi's leadership and he for the third consecutive time will become the prime minister of the country with a huge majority," it said.
Over the last nine years, the NDA government has realised the vision of Sewa, Sushasan and Gareeb Kalyaan (service, good governance and welfare of the poor) in the true sense, it said.
This journey of good governance and development has seen the participation of all sections, regions and communities, the resolution added.
Be it the NDA government under Atal Bihar Vajpayee or the one under Mr. Modi, it has always worked for nation-building while respecting regional aspirations, it said.
The resolution lauded the Modi government's pro-poor measures which, it added, has led to a sharp reduction in poverty.
It has been committed to social and economic upliftment of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women and economically weaker sections of the society, it said.
Praising its efforts to empower the poor, the resolution noted that Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit, and Droupadi Murmu, a tribal, were made the country's President under its tenure.
It also mentioned India's "rising economic prowess on the global stage" and its emergence as a capable, strong, powerful and secure country under Modi's leadership.
"It is a matter of pride for the entire country, including us, that 14 countries have conferred their highest honour upon Modiji," the resolution said.
"NDA constituents unanimously commit that under the leadership of PM Modi ji, as participants of this development journey - we are one, we are united and we are unanimous," it added.
Published - July 19, 2023 12:50 am IST
