Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar participated in a public interaction at Dashmesh Park, Amritsar, on Saturday, 13 June 2026, marking the completion of 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. The event brought together prominent citizens and community leaders from the region to reflect on the government's developmental record since May 2014.

Context

Khattar, addressing the gathering, described the occasion as one dedicated to 'जनसेवा एवं सुशासन' (public service and good governance). He said that under Prime Minister Modi's 'visionary leadership,' India has witnessed 'unprecedented transformation' across development, good governance, self-reliance, infrastructure, the digital revolution, and public welfare over the past 12 years. He framed the journey not merely as a record of government achievements, but as 'a story of glory reflecting the trust, aspirations, and resolve of the people of India to realise a Developed India.'

The event at Dashmesh Park in Amritsar — a historically significant city in Punjab — is part of a broader series of regional outreach programmes by BJP Union ministers timed to the government's anniversary.

Policy Backdrop

The themes Khattar highlighted map directly onto flagship programmes launched during the Modi government's tenure. The Digital India programme, launched in 2015, underpins the 'digital revolution' cited in his remarks. The Atmanirbhar Bharat self-reliance campaign, announced in 2020, corresponds to the 'आत्मनिर्भरता' (self-reliance) dimension he referenced.

Khattar invoked the governing slogan 'विकास भी, विरासत भी' — 'development as well as heritage' — a formulation the BJP has used to argue that modernisation and cultural continuity are not in tension. He said the 'new India' is advancing rapidly toward the goal of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), a target the government has set for 2047, the centenary of Indian independence.

Stakeholders and Impact

Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple and a significant political constituency in Punjab, carries symbolic weight for national outreach. By holding a commemorative interaction in the city, the event signals the BJP's continued effort to consolidate its presence in a state where it has historically faced strong competition.

Community leaders and intellectuals — referred to as 'प्रबुद्धजन' (enlightened citizens or opinion leaders) — were the primary audience, suggesting the interaction was oriented toward influencing local discourse rather than a mass rally format.

What's Next

Similar anniversary-linked outreach events by Union ministers are expected to continue across states in the weeks ahead, reinforcing the Viksit Bharat 2047 narrative as the BJP builds momentum well ahead of the 2029 general elections. Khattar, as a senior minister overseeing the power and urban affairs portfolios, is likely to remain a prominent face in such regional interactions, particularly in northern India.