Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has said that he hoped that the Indian Diaspora would stand for a ‘change’ in the coming days.
He said this while addressing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations here on Thursday.
He started the speech with taking a jibe at Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. Modi agreed with the Prime Minister’s recent statement that it is “better times ahead” for the country.
“Good days are definitely coming,” Modi said and added that the Prime Minister was right in saying that good days are coming very soon and there is nothing to feel dejected.
“I agree with the Prime Minister. I don’t want to say anything more. Maybe, you should wait for four to six months,” he said indicating that there will be a change in the Government after the next general elections.
Modi had some harsh words for the Government.
“A deteriorating economy; unrelenting stream of scandals and corruption exposes; poor delivery of basic services; policy paralysis, stagnating society and an overall atmosphere of divisive politics – have severely hit the people’s perception of and trust in the government and its leaders,” he said.
Modi added that Governments must understand that they are merely guardians of the people’s interests.
“They are only Trustees of the nation’s resources. They must also have the humility to accept that the collective wisdom of the people knows better,” he said.
100% transparency Answering questions from the participants, he said 100 per cent transparency has been his motto. He said PPP in health and accreditation for Government schools have helped Gujarat to achieve better results in both the sectors. Modi said if the Government has the will the issue of corruption could be addressed easily.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also addressed the gathering.
Chandy said the public-private partnership route would offer attractive opportunities in Kerala for prospective investors and financiers.
Hooda said Haryana has set an example for developing the manufacturing sector for the country. Sangma said the potential of the North-Eastern States were yet to be tapped.