Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, 13 September credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance since 2014 with eliminating what he described as three deep-rooted systemic evils — dynasty politics, casteism, and corruption — and replacing them with what he called a 'politics of performance'. Shah made the remarks while briefing media in Mumbai on the contours of the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan.

Shah's Case for a Transformed Political Culture

Speaking at the press briefing, Shah argued that Modi had redefined the role of the Prime Minister by introducing himself from the ramparts of the Red Fort as the 'Pradhan Sevak' — a public servant — and had, in Shah's words, 'firmly worked to realise this vision' across more than a decade in office. Shah said he believed 'very few leaders have led this country in such a distinctive manner since Independence.'

The Home Minister added that the overarching objective of public service would remain the guiding principle of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan, framing it as an extension of Modi's broader governance philosophy of 'seva' — service — to the backward and downtrodden.

Welfare Numbers Shah Cited

Shah listed a series of government schemes to illustrate what he characterised as structural upliftment of the poor and marginalised. Among the figures he cited:

54 crore people are covered for medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. 16 crore households have received tap water connections for the first time since Independence, he claimed. 13 crore farmers receive ₹6,000 annually under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. And 13 crore homes have been equipped with toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, which Shah said 'brought dignity to the daughters and mothers of these households.'

Economic Reforms and Infrastructure Push

Shah also pointed to a range of economic and governance reforms as evidence of the administration's record. He credited the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with consolidating 16 different purchase taxes into a single framework, realising what he called the dream of 'One Nation, One Tax.' He cited the JAM Trinity — Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile — as the foundation for digital governance.

On the economic front, Shah claimed that banking sector reforms had pulled India out of the non-performing assets (NPA) crisis and returned public sector undertakings to profitability. He also pointed to record foreign direct investment (FDI), the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and the Make in India initiative as factors that had transformed the country into 'a credible global manufacturing and export hub.'

Infrastructure acceleration — spanning roads, railways, airports, Metro networks, ports, waterways, and digital infrastructure — was also highlighted as a defining achievement of the period.

Viksit Bharat and the Road Ahead

Shah said Modi had inspired 140 crore citizens to work towards the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 15 August 2047, the centenary of Independence. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan, a month-long outreach initiative, is being positioned as a vehicle to carry that vision to the grassroots.

How the Abhiyaan translates these stated objectives into measurable outcomes on the ground will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.