Modi to serve two more terms, India No. 1 by 2047: Karnataka BJP leader
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Karnataka Legislative Council Opposition Leader, on Saturday, 13 June expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would continue in office for two more terms, and predicted that India would emerge as the world's number one economy by 2047. Narayanaswamy made these remarks while speaking to reporters in Kolar, Karnataka.
Claims on Modi's Democratic Record
Narayanaswamy asserted that PM Modi holds the record for being the longest-serving Prime Minister elected repeatedly through a constitutional democratic process. He claimed Modi had governed longer than former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh under a democratic electoral framework.
He further alleged that Nehru became Prime Minister before India's constitutional democratic system was fully established and was not elected through a popular mandate at the time, describing his appointment as a transitional arrangement following Independence. Regarding Indira Gandhi, Narayanaswamy alleged that the Emergency period imposed during her tenure represented a departure from democratic principles, arguing her rule should not be held up as a model of democratic governance. The Indian National Congress (Congress) has not publicly responded to these specific characterisations.
Attack on Congress Over Electoral Roll Revision
Commenting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Narayanaswamy accused Congress of opposing the exercise out of fear. He compared the revision to removing weeds from a cultivated field, arguing that only duplicate or ineligible names would be struck off voter lists. He also alleged that Congress President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), B.K. Hariprasad, was making statements without understanding the facts.
Governance, Economy, and LPG Prices
On rising cooking gas prices, Narayanaswamy attributed the situation to global conflicts and their impact on energy supplies. He recalled that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government under Manmohan Singh had once moved to cap subsidised LPG cylinders, and noted that Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had opposed that decision at the time.
He described the Modi government as corruption-free and alleged that large-scale corruption had taken place during the tenures of Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. He credited the current administration with improving India's global economic standing and with substantial development in infrastructure sectors such as roads and railways.
Gruha Lakshmi Scheme and RSS Remarks
Narayanaswamy criticised the Karnataka state government's verification of beneficiaries under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, alleging that names were being removed arbitrarily and describing the exercise as unfair to genuine beneficiaries.
Responding to remarks by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge regarding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Narayanaswamy said Kharge had not been appointed a minister to target the BJP and should instead focus on justice and governance. He also remarked that the RSS had existed long before the political careers of present-day Congress leaders.
Dharmasthala Controversy
On the ongoing controversy surrounding the Dharmasthala case, Narayanaswamy said no investigation was necessary and described Dharmasthala as a sacred place. He alleged that a conspiracy was underway to tarnish its reputation. The matter remains a point of political contention in Karnataka.