PM Narendra Modi Marks 12 Years of NDA Rule, Targets Congress and Outlines Vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) conclave on Wednesday, organised to commemorate 12 years of his government at the Centre, to deliver a forceful political message.

His address combined a sharp attack on previous Congress administrations with a strong endorsement of the NDA’s governance record, which he credited for transforming India’s trajectory since 2014.

Addressing leaders and representatives of NDA constituent parties, Modi expressed gratitude for the alliance’s recognition of his becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister in consecutive terms.

However, he stressed that the milestone was not a personal achievement but a collective accomplishment of the NDA and every partner within the coalition.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came in the context of surpassing the tenure of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, measured from the country’s first general election in 1952.

Modi said the occasion symbolised the strength of democratic institutions and the enduring support of the electorate rather than the success of any one individual.

Launching a broadside against the Congress, Modi argued that the country had broken free from what he described as decades of restrictive thinking.

He criticised the long-standing phrase “Hindu rate of growth,” which economists often used to describe India’s sluggish economic performance during the decades before economic liberalisation.

According to Modi, the term unfairly associated economic stagnation with Hindu society, even though, in his view, the shortcomings stemmed from Congress-led policies.

He remarked that if a label was to be attached to that era of low growth, it should have reflected the governance failures of the Congress rather than attributing them to a religious identity.

Drawing a contrast between past and present economic performance, Modi said the progress achieved under the NDA demonstrated the difference between what he called the “Congress rate of growth” and the development trajectory witnessed since 2014.

He described contemporary India as a nation that had, for the first time, begun moving forward with full momentum and confidence.

Reflecting on his own political journey, Modi said he had never imagined he would one day become the country’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister in uninterrupted terms.

He attributed the achievement to divine blessings and the trust reposed in him by the people of India, whom he described as equivalent to God in a democracy.

The Prime Minister compared the collective journey of governance to a sacred yagna, saying that every NDA partner had contributed to the effort.

He thanked members of the alliance for passing a resolution acknowledging the milestone and reiterated that the accomplishment belonged to the entire NDA family.

Modi also credited Indian voters for providing political stability and continuity.

He argued that prolonged periods of unstable governments in earlier decades had hindered national progress, while a stable administration had enabled faster decision-making and long-term policy implementation.

He recalled the atmosphere of optimism that emerged in 2014, when the NDA first assumed office under his leadership.

The Prime Minister said that after years of disappointment under Congress rule, citizens placed their faith in the NDA.

According to him, the coalition worked to strengthen that trust through governance and delivery.

He described the hope that emerged in 2014 as having evolved into a powerful source of national confidence over the past decade.

Highlighting social and economic achievements, Modi pointed to the claim that nearly 25 crore people had risen out of poverty during the NDA’s tenure.

He said this demonstrated the effectiveness of government policies and reassured millions of economically weaker citizens that their aspirations could be fulfilled.

At the same time, he emphasised that governments must continue working tirelessly to meet the growing expectations of the population.

Looking back at India’s political history, Modi said a sense of optimism had previously emerged during the government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

However, he alleged that corruption flourished once Congress returned to power.

According to him, the nation’s fortunes changed decisively when the NDA regained office in 2014.

He claimed that projects and initiatives that once took decades to materialise began moving ahead within months under the NDA government.

Citing examples, Modi referred to the rapid expansion of airport infrastructure, metro rail networks, defence exports and digital connectivity across the country.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s digital transformation, noting that the number of internet users had increased from approximately 25 crore to nearly 100 crore during the NDA era.

He further asserted that India had emerged as the global leader in digital transactions, reflecting the success of technology-driven governance and financial inclusion initiatives.

Referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, Modi said India had successfully navigated one of the most challenging periods in modern history.

He contrasted India’s economic performance with difficulties being faced by several major economies and claimed that the country was currently recording a growth rate of 7.7 per cent.

According to Modi, India’s rise had not been accidental.

He noted that the nation had moved beyond its earlier classification among the so-called “Fragile Five” economies and had emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

He described the vision of a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, as taking shape within an increasingly ambitious and aspirational society.

Addressing concerns related to employment and opportunities for the middle class, especially against the backdrop of controversies surrounding examination paper leaks and opposition criticism, Modi said his government had focused on reducing bureaucratic hurdles that had burdened ordinary citizens in the past.

He highlighted the government’s decision to make annual incomes of up to Rs 12 lakh exempt from income tax and argued that infrastructure development had significantly improved the quality of life for middle-class families.

Better roads, transportation systems and public services, he said, had made daily life more convenient and productive.

Modi also defended the Goods and Services Tax (GST), stating that the reform had contributed to lower prices and simplified taxation.

He described the middle class as a key engine of economic growth and reiterated that national interest remained the guiding principle of his government.

“For us, the nation comes before the party,” he said, underlining what he described as the NDA’s commitment to country-first politics.

The Prime Minister further referred to several major policy decisions and security-related developments.

He cited the abrogation of Article 370 and claimed that peace and stability had returned to large parts of the North-East.

He also pointed to Operation Sindoor, saying it had demonstrated India’s capabilities and determination before the international community.

Looking ahead, Modi urged NDA leaders to focus on the long-term goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, when the country will celebrate 100 years of Independence.

He argued that India must accelerate its growth trajectory and adopt a broader global outlook as its influence in the world economy continues to expand.

According to the Prime Minister, the international community increasingly looks towards India for solutions to global challenges.

He said the country must rise to those expectations by remaining innovative, ambitious and forward-looking.

Concluding his address, Modi reiterated his oft-repeated call for urgency and determination, declaring that this was the right moment for India to seize the opportunities before it.

He urged the nation to remain ahead of global trends and continue its journey towards becoming a leading power on the world stage by 2047.