BJP empowers, others build empires: Modi

Modi’s comments came a day after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party announced their alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh in a bid to counter the saffron party.

“For their own existence they are making short-term alliance,” he said during the interaction with party workers from Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Perambalur, Virudhunagar and Theni parliamentary constituencies as part of his ‘Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot’ (My booth is the strongest) initiative.

Modi said, “Unlike other parties, we are not in politics for divide and rule or building vote banks. We are here to serve the country in every possible way.” 

Responding to a question on the MSME sector, Modi hailed the role of small industries in the nation’s growth.

The government’s commitment to MSME sector can be proved by the fact that 15 crore collateral-free Mudra loans have been provided to entrepreneurs. “Many people think ease of doing business only helps big companies. This is a completely wrong perception. Ease of doing business helps the MSME sector and small businesses most,” he said.

To a question on GST, he said that the government has from day one of its roll-out been saying that it will improve the new taxation system as “we move ahead” and recalled the various sops being given from time to time, including the latest one where the exemption for suppliers for registration and payment of GST has been raised from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. 

“This will help a large number of MSMEs. Free accounting and billing software will also be provided to taxpayers. Making business easier also means devoting special focus where it is needed,” Modi said.

“It would have been tough to imagine that India will one day leave even China behind in attracting foreign direct investment. Let me tell you, India has already surpassed china in 2018 in FDI,” the Prime Minister said.

Billing his party as one that recognised the cultural diversity of the country, he also patted his party workers and exuded confidence they will once again ensure its victory in the coming elections.

A BJP worker is driven not by any self-interest but national interest, he said, adding only in the saffron party can a person born in socially backward and economically poor family think of reaching the top.

“In the BJP one only needs hard work, not big wallets, high birth or loyalty to one family. We are proud that a party with two MPs (to start off with) is ruling so many states and is running the government at the Centre,” Modi said.

He said that the BJP’s success has “naturally angered so many people who have done nothing but done negative politics,” and have been abusing both the party and himself, the Prime Minister said. 

Asked about first time voters ahead of this year’s polls, Modi asked his party workers to “make them your first priority” as they decide the future. “The BJP is a natural choice for first time voters,” Modi added.