Page 18 - AUG2018E

CoverStory

PM chants ‘rising india’

ahead of 2019 Ls PoLLs

Modi’s last speech from Red Fort before seeking a fresh mandate in 2019 sought to project
that he has provided an assured stewardship to the leap of faith taken by the electorate in
him in 2014 but Opposition leaders don’t agree, writes Anil SinhA

rime Minister Narendra Modi seems to him, the Congress, if contributed to the nation build-
be replaying ‘Shining India’ of Atal Bihari ing, had been so slow that the country would have
Vajpayee’s era. Only difference is the tone waited for decades and centuries to reach the tar-
P in Vajpayee’s assertions. Vajpayee has get in many important fields vital for the life of vast
always maintained modesty in his assertion majority. He cited pace of rural electrification, LPG
and avoided loudness. Whereas, Modi has been connections and construction of toilets. Ahead of 2019
aggressive when it comes to taking on his opponents. polls, Modi also tried to sell new dreams and declared
And, this is what he did on the 72nd Independence five-point program: connectivity for all, sanitation
Day while addressing the nation from ramparts for all, health for all, skill for all and insurance for all.
of the Red Fort. He announced the giant health insurance program
On behalf of the nation, he disowned every sin- ‘Ayushman Bharat’ that was announced in the last
gle contribution made by the grand old part of the budget. The program was kept pending for a suitable
country, the Congress and grabbed the opportunity time that should coincide with the polls in the states
to say that the people did not stop at electing him, but and of the Lok Sabha.
they joined in building the nation. The message was Modi’s speech from the ramparts of Red Fort gives
clear that the process of nation building started with a clear indication of the political line he is to adopt
the wining of the chair of prime ministership. For in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The corruption is

tehelka / 31 august 2018 18 www.tehelka.com