PM Narendra Modi's Speech In Panjim Ahead Of Goa Elections 2017: Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a public meeting today in Panjim ahead of the Goa assembly elections, scheduled for February 4. This comes a day after the Prime Minister campaigned in Punjab's Jalandhar alongwith the state's Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Prime Minister Modi is expected to highlight the achievements of the BJP-led government in the state over five years and criticise the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party - which has fielded former Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes as its chief ministerial candidate. "The Congress is in a real bad shape. They are being opportunistic," the Prime Minister said yesterday in Jalandhar. Earlier during the day, the Prime Minister also addressed NCC officers and cadets at a rally in New Delhi.

Following are the highlights of PM Narendra Modi's speech:

• The last five years have been an era of development.On this foundation, we want to take the progress forward.
• In a survey of all small states, they found Goa was the shining star.
• Infrastructure, social schemes - the Goa government set an example for even the bigger states.
• I see from Delhi how much work has been done in Goa, I feel very happy about it.
• For years, Goa has suffered from a disease. This election is to rid Goa of that disease.
• What is that disease? It is the disease of instability.
• Political turmoil has hindered Goa's progress.
• There was a time in Goa's recent history when it saw a dozen chief ministers in 10 years.
• This slowed down Goa. This instability suited the Congress very well. They managed to shirk accountability.
• But then people of Goa decided to give five years to a single government. However, even then, for their own benefit they ran away.
• I appeal to people of Goa to give us a comfortable majority. If you do that I promise you, we will make Goa India's most comfortable state.
• Today, the Centre is stressing on tourism.
• People said tourism will dry up - notes ban will affect tourism.
• Today, they have been silenced.
• The old government did not understand that to bring tourists from abroad, you have to focus on the international audience. We did that.
• The government's efforts to encourage tourism benefits Goa the most.
• This is an industry which can give huge returns even with small investment. The poorest of the poor can earn from it.
• For 10 years, there was a government at the Centre which had no interest in building any bridges in Goa.
• This would adversely affect the state's economy. That's why we have focused on infrastructure in Goa.
• We are building a bridge which will be a convenience for the people and an attraction for the tourists.
• I can say proudly our government at the Centre has helped Goa more in 25 months than in the last 50 years.
• This is our speed; this is our direction.
• Some people don't progress and don't let others progress.  These people are the pickpockets of democracy. They show the country in a poor light.
• The government is going to release its budget on February 1.
• Some parties have already started calling economists and intellectuals. They are making drafts of messages to criticise us in Goa, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab.
• They are working harder than the Finance Minister in their efforts to malign the budget.
• They are like those parents who blame teachers, schools for their children's poor performance in exams.
• Some parties have questioned why the Election Commission scheduled Goa and Punjab elections on the same date.
• This means they are prepping for losing. If you don't have faith in the umpire, why have you come to play?
• People are trying to drag politics to such levels and they feel proud of it.
• Tell me, aren't Indians smart? Why is the Congress being defeated across the country?
• Well, Goans are smarter than the rest of India.
• They have seen Congress's misrule and corruption. So they will not vote for the Congress.
• There can be political differences, ideological differences - this is normal in a democracy.
• But it pains me when political leaders run away from debates about development.
• Governments should be measured by the development they bring.
• Today the world, after many years, is watching a government which can take strong, decisive decisions.
• Tell me, isn't the whole world hailing India or not? In America? In Japan? In China? In Sri Lanka? In Nepal?
• What is the reason for this? Not because of Modi. This is happening because 125 crore Indians picked a government with complete majority after 30 years.
• Shouldn't Goa too have a stable government with a comfortable majority? Shouldn't Goa be hailed across India?
• That's why I appeal to you to give us a comfortable majority.
• There is a time constraint. I have to leave before the sun sets, I cannot break rules of the armed forces. The Defence Minister is sitting here.
• Goa has given such a strong Defence Minister. The world is still talking about surgical strikes.
• Once Indian soldiers decide something, they prove their valour.
• February 4 is voting day. Please vote in large numbers. Let Goa bloom like the lotus.