Ahead of the assembly elections in five states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underlined his focus on welfarism and “pro-poor” and projected demonetization as a mechanism not just to fight corruption but to divert black money into development of the marginal sections.

At the concluding session of the BJP’s national executive, the PM who has hitherto been accused by the Opposition for running a “suit-boot ki sarkar (Government of the Rich), said “serving the poor is serving the god”. Quoting a shloka , the PM asserted that he does not “covet power, heaven or second life but longs to end the people’s suffering”.

Highlighting that he had been “born in poverty”, the PM raised an emotional pitch to his partymen, exhorting them to “welcome criticism, not be afraid of allegations” and underlined that “if our resolve and inner truth is strong, we will go forward in our path”.

Briefing the media about the PM’s remarks to the BJP national executive, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the PM was “very clear that while some may worry about enhancing their lifestyle, our Government’s priority is to transform the lives of the poor”.

“The poor of our poor country have accepted this historic decision (demonetisation). They have accepted that it is an effective step to end social ills including corruption. Accepting the hardships which came with the decision, they have welcome this historic step toward a great change,” Modi said, adding that the country has seen society's strength in the last two months.

The PM once again talked about electoral reforms and sought a consensus among political parties, asserting that BJP will play a lead role in making political funding transparent as demonetisation and digital economy have ushered in a more transparent era.

“BJP will be at the forefront of pushing transparency in political funding. People have a right to know where our funds are coming from,” he said.

Referring to coming assembly elections in five states, including the crucial Uttar Pradesh polls, Modi expressed confidence that the party will win there.

“The situation is in our favour in the elections,” he said.

The Law Minister said the PM had saluted the spirit of the Indian society in taking forward the Government’s campaign against corruption, black money and fake currency.

“There is a tradition in our society that it realizes its own strength in fighting social evils. The untrammeled flow of currency is one of the biggest stimulants to corruption and that is why our Government’s move on demonetization received such huge support. I had appealed to the people that some hardships will have to be faced but it would ultimately help in fighting corruption and the people responded wholeheartedly,” Modi told the BJP national executive.

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