Opposition parties only talk about social justice but it is the BJP that toils for helping each Indian, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed on Thursday, setting the tone for the party's 2024 national election campaign at an event to mark the party's 44th foundation day.
"Despite being the world's biggest political party, we don't have to be complacent. People have already started saying that no one can defeat the BJP in 2024. This is true, but as BJP workers we have to win the heart of every citizen of the country," he said.
PM Modi said the opposition had become "very desperate”, once again referring to the slogans of “Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi” (Modi, Your Grave Will Be Dug) chanted at a recent demonstration by the Congress over a police case against one of its leaders.
"These people with a 'baadshahi' (feudal) mindset treated others, especially the poor and deprived, as slaves," he said.
The BJP is determined to fight corruption, nepotism and law and order challenges in the country, he said, adding that it draws inspiration from Lord Hanuman, the Hindu god who is revered for his devotion, strength and courage.
"Today India, like Lord Hanuman, is much more prepared in fighting challenges. Our party takes inspiration from Hanumanji. We can be tough at times like Lord Hanuman, but we are also compassionate and humble," PM Modi said.
He said that the BJP has a resolve and a 'can do' attitude like Lord Hanuman and the party's political culture is to have big dreams and put all efforts to fulfil them, unlike the Congress and its allies who have a "small thinking" and are mired in corruption, casteism and family rule.
He said that the BJP has brought a paradigm shift in Indian politics by “ending 800 years of slavery” in 2014 when it came to power with a full majority for the first time.
He said that the BJP has always kept the nation first as its policy and that it has worked for the empowerment of all sections of society. He said that the BJP believes in 'sabka haath, sabka saath and sabka prayas', meaning everyone's hand, everyone's support and everyone's effort.
PM Modi also urged the party workers to participate actively in the week-long social harmony campaign that the party has planned from April 6 to April 14, the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
"We should not be confined to winning polls. Our goal is to win over the hearts of crores of people. We have to fight every poll with the same hard work that we have put in since the time of Jana Sangh," he said.
The Prime Minister's speech was screened at 10 lakh places across the country, where BJP leaders, office bearers and workers gathered to listen to him. The BJP national president JP Nadda also raised the flag at the party headquarters in Delhi and addressed the party workers.
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