Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 29: Participating in the programme, 'Sab Ke Saath, Sab Ka Vikas' organized by the BJP city unit here on Sunday May 28 to celebrate completion of three years in office by the Modi-led union government, union minister for finance, defence and corporate affairs, Arun Jaitley, said that the country under the leadership of Narendra Modi, has given rise to new aspirations and hopes in the minds of the people of the country through credible and safe reform programmes. "In our aim to build modern India, we wish that Karnataka too will become an active partner. To make this happen, BJP should rise to power in this state," he felt.

"Under the leadership of Modi, our country has taught a lesson to our neighbouring country which relentlessly posed threat to the security of our country through misdeeds like unprovoked attacks. In the past, the efforts of successive governments were limited to giving warnings to our nrighbouring country and shaping international opinions against its activities. Through our surgical strikes, we have proved that we have the power to penetrate deep into enemy territory and destroy their bases," he stated.

Jaitley said that Karnataka was months away from the next election, and that the efforts should be aimed at coming together and unitedly support the leadership of Yeddyurappa, who is in the driver's seat now. He exhorted party leaders and workers alike to concentrate on working for the party's victory by supporting Yeddyurappa's leadership in unison. He sated that in the past, economic reforms used to benefit only the rich and for the first time ever, the reforms guided by the BJP government at the centre have been benefitting even the poor people. "Positive affects of our moves have already begun showing results. To strengthen Modi's hands, Karnataka should be rid of Congress rule and party leaders should sink their differences and work to see that our party rises to power again," he exhorted.

Jaitley said that the country has now got relieved of caste and family politics and performance happens to be the sole criteria for victory. Citing results in Uttar Pradesh election as an example for the changed scenario, Jaitley said that the entire country is now bathing in the newfound hope and enthusiasm created by Modi wave. He said that the initiatives like Mann Ki Baat undertaken by Modi through Radio have succeeded in reaching to the populace, and the rise in credibility of the central government under him and the increasing popularity Modi enjoys among the masses have come as surprise even to leaders across the world.

"The demonetisation exercise which our detractors predicted to result in collapse of popularity base of BJP, has been proved otherwise. We have expanded our tax base and the country has been moving to digitalization in a big way because of this move. We have effectively implemented provisions of Benami Assets Act by impounding properties therein. These measures have given rise to new expectations and hope among the populace. We have also streamlined measures on distribution of spectrum, coal fields, iron ore auction etc, by replacing the unbridled discretionary powers which existed in the past," he stated.

BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa, union ministers, Ananth Kumar and D V Sadananda Gowda, state in-charge of BJP affairs, Muraleedhar Rao, former deputy chief minister, R Asoka, and various BJP MLAs, MPs, an leaders, were present.