Glimpses of statesmanship

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first speech in Parliament to the debate on President's address to the joint session on his government's agenda clearly reflected that he is not as painted by the opposition but believer in the principle of working together for the development of the nation. Modi showed his commitment to fulfill every promise made in the agenda of his government which was told in President's address. He spoke in a way that clearly showed that a little bit of statesmanship had dawned on him with becoming the Prime Minister of India. He dwelt on every issue that the country is facing these days. First and foremost thing in his speech was that he pledged to take along the opposition in running the government despite its negligible presence in Parliament. Modi spoke about co-operative federalism without which the Union of India cannot achieve the desired goal of development. Adopting big brotherly attitude towards the states ruled by opposition parties will result in confrontation and that will mar the pace of development. So it is very good that Prime Minister has said about promoting co-operative federalism. PM Modi's commitment to the development of the poor makes the opposition charge against him hollow that he is working only for the benefit of Corporate and Industrialists. Modi lauded the role of labourers in the development of the nation. This is praise worthy. His first speech in the Parliament makes it clear that he is very much interested in working for the all round development of the nation with the weaker section of society on top of his priority. For that he rightly asked for support from all corners. There was not even a single sentence in his speech that could antagonize any section of society. With landslide victory and single party majority after 30 years given to BJP by the people of the nation, it is clear that the nation wants decisive and action-oriented government for development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also dwelt on how to do away with the criminalisation of politics. He rightly said that his government would request the Supreme Court to decide the culpability of any member of Parliament against whom there is a case within a year. If the MP is freed of all charges, he or she would sit in Parliament and if found guilty he or she would be in jail. It would be a very good move to deal with the criminalisation of politics. The most important thing that PM Modi said is that like Mahatma Gandhi's movement for freedom, there is a need to launch movement for development by all of us. His speech is full of positivity and in his first speech in Parliament he appeared to be committed for the development of the nation.