Zee Media Bureau/Biplob Ghosal
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Manmohan Singh-led government saying running a coalition cannot be blamed for policy paralysis.
Coming down hard on the Congress, Modi said the party should not blame alliances for its own failures and quoted the example of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying that the former prime minister led a coalition government successfully.
“It is about what is the aim when the government is formed and whether it can fulfil the aims,” Modi said.
Addressing the Chartered Accountants Association in the national capital, the Gujarat Chief Minister offered condolences to families of those who lost their lives in INS Sindhuratna tragedy.
Modi advocated for urbanisation saying that it is not a crisis and be seen as an opportunity.
Modi emphasised on improving the judicial system and said a system should be developed to ensure speedy justice. Giving example of Gujarat, the state Chief Minister said that lakhs of cases have been coming after sanctity was given to Lok Adalats.
“In Gujarat we started the concept of evening courts. We transferred cases of poor to these courts so they can work and go to court in evenings,” Modi asserted.
When Modi was asked about unemployment problem, the BJP leader laid importance on skill development, and said self-empowerment is necessary so that people do not run for government jobs.
Taking a dig at the incumbent central government, Modi said, “There is a general concept that PSUs are born to crumble or get sold, but we thought differently and that is to professionalise those institutions.”
Modi emphasised on cordial relations between Centre and states.
The BJP`s PM candidate said the party is in favour of GST, but without right IT infrastructure it will be difficult to implement.
Blaming the Centre for non-implementation of GST, Modi said that his party has never opposed it, it`s only the Centre which is not well prepared for its implementation.
Modi further insisted on eradicating corruption rather than just talking. We can conquer the world: Modi to traders
Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) national convention at Siri Fort auditorium here and said that the fashion of running the nation from the national capital must stop.
Addressing the convention, which is being attended by leading industrialists and political leaders, Modi said the Centre must trust the states and that every state has its own strengths which should be nurtured.
The convention is also being attended by thousands of traders from all states of the country. Foreign investors from 35 nations are also at the event.
Criticising the trend of non-implementation of laws in the country, the Gujarat Chief Minister said that a law needs to be made that says a new law can only be put in place only when 10 laws have been successful. “There has been a web of laws for years in the country,” Modi asserted.
In an apparent move to attract the traders` body ahead of the General Elections, Modi said that BJP`s image is of a traders` party and it has been only possible as the party has been continuously working for the welfare for traders.
Modi further said that his party will take suggestions from the traders, which will be included in BJP`s election manifesto.
"We have to convert challenges into opportunities. Do not be afraid of new challenges. Adopt technology and create virtual malls in your shops. Now, even people in smallest towns are looking for branded goods. Use technology to cater to that. If necessary do workshop to learn the way out, but do not run away," IANS quoted Modi while he was addressing the All India Traders Convention here.
Pitching for increase in trade across the globe, the BJP`s PM candidate said, “Our forefathers travelled the entire world as traders. Trade is a great way to integrate people.”
Expressing confidence in the Indian traders, Modi said, “We don`t have to be scared of the global challenges in trade. Let us take them as opportunities. If they go 10 steps ahead lets go 15.”
“I trust the traders of the country and a true quality of a great trader is taking risks,” Modi exhorted.
Modi laid importance on trade being included in foreign policy and said business these days helps in building relations with other countries. The BJP leader said that an Indian state has more businessmen than in a European country and asserted, “We can conquer the world.”
Taking the opportunity to attack the government, the Gujarat CM said it is sad that the Central government believes everyone is a thief; this mindset meeds to be changed. He emphasised on changing the government machinery.
Besides Modi, Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Murli Manohar Joshi, and CPI leader AB Bardhan are also attending the meet.
The event organisers did not invite Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal. The organisers have said that that the party lacked a national business policy. Interestingly, the former Delhi chief minister had recently attacked business tycoon Mukesh Ambani.
Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Janata Dal (United) were invited to the event as well.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was also sent an invitation, but no response was forwarded by the Congress party.