Prime Minister Modi Channels Shivaji's Spirit in Mission for India's Future

Speaking on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the last ten years had just been a "phase" and that "many more big decisions remain to be taken." He compared himself to the Maratha King Shivaji of the 17th century and said he was seeking a third term to further that cause rather than for political benefit.

At the BJP national convention, Modi urged party leaders and cadres to work tirelessly for the next 100 days in order to achieve "abki baar 400 paar," a catchphrase he came up with that sets the NDA's goal of gaining more than 400 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections.


After the party convention accepted a resolution claiming that the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya signaled the beginning of "Ram Rajya" in India for the next 1,000 years, Modi gave his last speech.

"A historic and magnificent accomplishment for the nation is the building of a magnificent and heavenly temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ram at his birthplace in the old holy city of Ayodhya. This signals the start of a new "Kalachakra" (time cycle) and the foundation of "Ram Rajya" in India for the next millennium, according to the resolution.

To energize the party apparatus for the election fight, Modi arrived to speak at the party conclave at the recently constructed Bharat Mandapam amid the catchphrases "Abki baar 400 paar" and "Modi ji ko Jai Shri Ram."

A theme song was performed, and Modi was called upon to address the assembly. "Dushit sab itihas badal dein, aao hum itihas badal dein" was emphasized, meaning "Change all the corrupted history; Come, let's change history."

"We are Chhatrapati Shivaji's disciples. Shivaji did not take it easy after being anointed king. Modi stated, speaking to thousands of party officials and cadres, "He carried out his task.

"Drawing inspiration from Shivaji, the master... I am not running for office a third time to enjoy power. I've embarked upon a quest. The last ten years have only been an introduction to the idea of arriving at the objective. Amidst boisterous cries of "Modi hai toh mumkin hai (With Modi, it is possible)", he said, "Many more dreams remain to be achieved and for that many more decisions remain to be taken."

Earlier in his address, Modi had said that, after such a lengthy and distinguished public life, "one big leader" had encouraged him to unwind. He said, "That leader offered me political advice, but I work for rashtraniti, not rajniti."

He presented himself as someone who had dedicated his life to the service of the country and its people, asserting that his goal was to create a "Vikshit Bharat," or developed India, by 2047. "Building homes for crores of people would not have been possible if I had thought of my own home," he said.

He informed the gathering that a resounding majority and another five-year term were necessary for him to realize the ambition of a developed India. "The next five years will be very important. India has to advance rapidly in order to become developed. Making ensuring the BJP returns to power with a sizable majority is the first necessary step toward that, he said.

In order to accomplish the goal of "NDA sarkar 400 paar," according to Modi, the BJP has to surpass the "milestone of 370 seats." Emphasizing the phrase "sabka saath, sabka vikas," he exhorted party workers to come in contact with everyone who has refrained from supporting the BJP so far and appeal for their support.

Modi said that he had made "durgami" (long-term) and "sahashik" (courageous) judgments during the previous ten years, citing the building of the Ram temple as one of many such accomplishments.

"We built the Ram temple in Ayodhya, breaking the people's five-century wait. In Pavagadh, Gujarat, the religious flag has been raised after 500 years. We inaugurated the Kartarpur Sahib Highway after 70 years. The nation is no longer subject to Article 370 after seven decades of waiting," he said.

"Duniya ka har desh, har shakti (every country in the world, every power)" was aware that "aayega toh Modi hi (Modi will come back)" and said that after the vote results, he had received offers from other countries to visit them.

The invites to me are for dates in July, August, and September, but I don't want to tell since the polls are approaching, he added. "Chunav hai isliye nahi bolna chahta, lekin July, August, September ke date pade hue mere nimantran ke."

"What does that prove?" he questioned, going on to say that it demonstrated how confident everyone was in his ability to win a third term in office.

Modi said that during his trips to the south before to the opening of the Ram temple, he had believed he had a massive popularity that "political pundits" would not be able to comprehend, perhaps hinting to a possible campaign from a seat in south India.

Modi attacked the Congress, saying that each BJP member had a duty to oppose the party since it was a source of "instability, nepotism, corruption, and also appeasement." According to Modi, there is "intense internal strife" inside the Congress that has nothing to do with ideologies.

A faction inside the Congress advocated for a strong animosity against Modi in an attempt to damage Modi's reputation. In contrast, the other group feels that personal attacks on Modi should be avoided and that doing so would be detrimental to the party, in keeping with the core ideals of the Congress, Modi said.

He said that the Congress was now hopeless. He said there was a plot by the Congress and its supporters to split the nation along "language and region" lines.

"BJP-Desh ki aasha, Vipaksha hatasha (The BJP is the country's hope, the Opposition is in despair)" is the resolution that was voted by the BJP convention. Speaking on the subject, Home Minister Amit Shah said that people had already decided to re-elect Modi and compared the impending elections to the Mahabharat battle.

He said that the leaders of the INDIA group were only concerned with elevating members of their own family to the positions of prime minister and chief minister, whereas Modi was fighting for the underprivileged and the advancement of the nation.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.