New Delhi, February 5, 2024: In a spirited address to the Lok Sabha today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a bold assertion that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to secure an impressive 370 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is eyeing an even more substantial victory with 400 seats in the upcoming elections. PM Modi, responding to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, showcased the achievements of his government over the past 10 years and outlined ambitious plans for India’s economic future.
The Prime Minister emphasized the significant strides made by his government, highlighting the construction of 4 crore houses for the underprivileged, with an additional 80 lakh pucca houses for the urban poor. Taking a swipe at the Congress, PM Modi stated that the speed of his government’s initiatives far outpaced that of the previous administration, suggesting that under Congress, the same accomplishments would have taken a century.
PM Modi also addressed the economic trajectory of the nation, quoting former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement in the Interim Budget for 2014-15 when India was the 11th largest economy. Modi claimed that today, India stands as the 5th largest economy, with a vision to become the third-largest during his third term. Asserting his guarantee, he declared, “On the basis of the experience of 10 years of governance, looking at today’s strong economy and the rapid speed with which India is progressing today, I can confidently say that in our third term, India will be the third largest economic power.”
In a veiled reference to Lord Ram’s grand temple and the phrase ‘Abki baar 400 paar’ (This time 400 plus), PM Modi expressed confidence not only in the NDA winning over 400 seats but also in the BJP securing an impressive 370 seats independently.
The Budget Session, which commenced on January 31, is set to conclude on February 9. The Prime Minister’s address comes amidst a heated debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s speech, with nearly sixty speakers participating. PM Modi took the opportunity to target opposition parties, particularly the Congress, stating, “From every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in opposition.”
As the political landscape unfolds, PM Modi’s ambitious predictions and declarations set the stage for a dynamic and closely-watched election season in the months to come.
