NDA will get more seats in 2019: Modi
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Terming the opposition grand alliance as a "failed idea", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the the BJP-led NDA will definitely get more seats in the next Lok Sabha polls than it got in 2014 and break all records.
In an interview with the Times of India published on Sunday, Modi said people wanted a strong and decisive government and his campaign will focus on "development, fast development and development for all".
"We will definitely get more seats than we got the last time and I am confident we will break all records of the seats won by NDA in the past and achieve greater glory," he said. "The people are with us and we have nothing to fear."
On the opposition's planned "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance), Modi said India's status has improved globally since he took power.
"After 30 years, a performing, strong and stable government is in power at the Centre. People have bitter experience of coalition governments burdened by politics of compulsions.
"I have faith (electorate) will not compromise its vote for a disparate group that has nothing more to offer than a single ideology (if we may even call it so) - to remove Modi," he said.
The Prime Minister said "a non-ideological alliance of desperate and disparate groups is not mahagathbandhan but political adventurism.
"It is a failed idea that has never succeeded. History tells us such adventurism failed in 1979, 1990 and in 1996. People want a strong and decisive government."
Asked about some unease in the ruling BJP-led alliance, Modi said the recent election of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman - by an NDA candidate despite not having a majority - will put the apprehensions of sceptics to rest.
Modi took dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for hugging him during the Parliament no-confidence motion and called him a 'naamdar' (one with famous family name).
"‘Naamdars' have their own rules. They decide when to hate, where to hate and how to hate. They also decide when to show affection, where to show affection and how to show affection. We are ‘kaamdars'; we have no such privilege," Modi said.
Modi said the government's way of working was not to make policy keeping elections in view.
"I have a vision for the country till 2022 that's in public domain. All policies and actions are aimed at achieving that vision."
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Kerala polls: LDF releases progress report, claims 97 pc of 2021 promises fulfilled
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): As the Kerala Assembly polls campaign enters its final phase, the ruling LDF on Monday released its progress report, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claiming that around 97 per cent of the promises made in 2021 have been fulfilled.
Releasing the report at a press conference here, Vijayan said that people have the right to know the extent to which election promises have been implemented.
Respecting that right, the LDF government has, since 2016, presented an annual progress report to the public.
"We believe that providing an account as a government is a responsibility. This report briefly summarises the progress of the fifth year of the government that assumed office in 2021," he said.
Vijayan, who leads the LDF campaign for the April 9 polls, stated that in 2021, 900 promises were placed before the people in the manifesto.
"Of these, approximately 97 per cent of the promises have already been fulfilled or have reached an effective stage of implementation," he added.
Kerala will go to the polls for 140 Assembly constituencies.
The veteran CPI(M) leader said that to make the common person's dream of land and housing a reality, five lakh houses have been completed through the LIFE Mission.
"Through this, secure housing has been ensured for lakhs of families," he added.
Vijayan said the government had focused on improving the lives of ordinary people, especially those who lacked basic facilities.
"We have worked to ensure that development reaches everyone, not just a few," he said.
The government also distributed land titles to over 4.5 lakh families in the past decade, helping many landless people secure ownership.
According to the CM, long-standing land issues in hilly regions like Idukki have also been resolved.
The chief minister said Kerala has made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty.
"More than 64,000 families have been lifted out of extreme poverty. Kerala has moved towards becoming free from extreme poverty, which is a rare achievement," he said.
Vijayan also pointed out that no other state in India has undertaken similar steps at this scale.
He said that to protect vulnerable families, the government introduced a law to prevent the seizure of their only homes.
"Financial support has also been extended to women, with over 16 lakh beneficiaries receiving monthly assistance. Welfare measures for the elderly and children in orphanages have also been strengthened," the CM said.
On the economic front, Vijayan stated that Kerala has created a more business-friendly environment, helping the state secure a top position in ease of doing business rankings.
Efforts to improve public services have also shown results, with lakhs of applications processed quickly through digital platforms.
Employment generation has been another focus area.
Vijayan said the government has made over three lakh appointments through the Public Service Commission and supported thousands of young people through self-employment schemes.
"We are committed to creating more opportunities for our youth," he said.
He added that in education, steps have been taken towards making degree courses free. Infrastructure projects, including highways and tunnel roads, are progressing steadily and are expected to boost connectivity and development across the state.
The Vizhinjam port project is also moving forward, with a target for completion by 2028. The government has also taken steps to rebuild homes for those affected by recent disasters, Vijayan said.
Highlighting the importance of social harmony, he said Kerala has remained peaceful without major communal tensions during the LDF rule.
"We must protect this unity and ensure that people live together without hatred or discrimination," he said.
He added that the government would continue working towards building a "New Kerala" that is inclusive, progressive, and aligned with global development.
