'Democracy has prevailed,' say Biden in his maiden speech as US President
Washington: "Democracy has prevailed," newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday in his maiden speech as he called on Americans "to defend the truth and defeat the lies".
Speaking shortly after taking oath as the 46th President of the United States, 78-year-old Biden also pledged to repair America's global alliances, which suffered during his predecessor Donald Trump's four-year regime.
"This is America's day..democracy has prevailed," Biden said, apparently referring to Trump's efforts to deny him victory in the November 3 election won by him.
"With unity we can do great things, he said referring to the challenges ahead of him from fighting the coronavirus to addressing racial injustice.
"Unity is the path forward," he asserted, laying out his vision to defeat the pandemic, build back better, and unify and heal the nation.
Biden asserted that he will be the president for all Americans, all those who voted for him and those who did not vote for him.
In his speech that lasted for 21 minutes, Biden praised Americans for rising to the challenge and reclaiming democracy. He mentioned the attempt to undo it at that exact location two weeks ago, and renewed his campaign goals of overcoming the pandemic, bringing racial justice and fighting climate change.
Biden also criticised those who have stoked anger and division, and asked those who opposed him to "hear me out." He called out those who lie for political power and profit. There is truth, and there are lies, he added.
In a message to the international community, Biden said that he would rebuild the alliances frayed over the past four years. "We can make America once again the leading force of good in the world."
"We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday's challenges but today's and tomorrow's challenges, he said.
"We will lead by the power of our example," he said in his message to the international community.
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After Amethi, Congress' 'sahabzade' will lose Wayanad seat also: PM Modi targets Rahul Gandhi
Nanded (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying that in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, "Congress' sahabzade" will lose from Wayanad constituency in Kerala and he will have to look for a safer seat after that.
Addressing a rally at Nanded in Maharashtra to campaign for BJP candidates from Nanded and Hingoli seats, Modi said the information available for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls indicates that there has been a one-sided voting in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Referring to Rahul Gandhi, Modi said, "After losing Amethi, the Congress' sahabzade will lose Wayanad as well. So he will have to look for a safe seat after April 26."
In an apparent reference to Sonia Gandhi, he said some INDIA bloc leaders left the Lok Sabha and moved to the Rajya Sabha as they have no courage to contest elections.
"For the first time, the family will not vote for a Congress candidate in the constituency where they live as there is no party candidate there," he said.
Modi said he has spent 10 years fixing the bad governance of the Congress regimes.
"A lot of work needs to be done," he added.
The Congress has been a barrier in the development of farmers and poor people, he alleged.
"The agriculture crisis did not happen now. It happened because of the flawed policies of Congress," Modi said.
Targeting the INDIA bloc, he said it has no face to project and people do not know whom to entrust the country's future.
"They may claim anything, but the reality is that Congress leaders have accepted defeat even before the announcement of polls," he said.
He termed the opposition alliance a grouping of selfish people who have come together to protect their corrupt practices.
He appealed to voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their voting right in the Lok Sabha elections.
"You are not doing any favour by voting. you are securing the country's future. I want to boost the morale of the party workers from the opposition. You (opposition leaders) are sure to lose the polls, but you will get a chance some day. But you must appeal to voters to vote," he said.
Modi said the INDIA bloc constituents were contesting the elections against each other in 25 per cent seats.
"After (the election results on) June 4, they will be fighting more with each other," he said.
He said that without the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, what fate would have befallen Sikhs who came from Afghanistan.
The NDA under PM Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.
