Oppn can't fathom 'sabka vikas': Modi

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is working to ensure development for all but the Congress cannot comprehend the meaning of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas (inclusive development) because it is focused on "family first" and steeped in dynastic politics and appeasement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

- Dhrubo Jyoti

In a 90-minute address in the Rajya Sabha, while participating in the debate over the President's speech at the beginning of the budget session of Parliament, Modi repeatedly attacked the Congress and said it trampled on constitutional values and freedom of speech, as he lambasted the restrictions on fundamental rights during the Emergency, listed schemes for marginalised sections that his government had implemented, and said the Congress always disrespected India's first law minister, BR Ambedkar.

He also said extreme opposition and pessimism was detrimental for Viksit Bharat (developed India; the Modi government has set a 2047 deadline for this) and added that people who remained aloof from the project to develop the country will be shunned by the people.

"A lot of things have been said about Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas...I fail to comprehend the difficulty everyone has to be developed, everyone has to be on board, that's why the country has given us the opportunity to sit here," he said.

"But as far as the Congress is concerned, to expect Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas from them will be a big mistake. It is beyond their thoughts and it is not going to suit their roadmap also... because it is dedicated to a dynasty and one family," he added.

The slogan shaped the core narrative of Modi's 2014 elections campaign that saw him post the first single-party majority in a generation.

Modi also hit out at opponents of the Uniform Civil Code. "We are moving forward by taking inspiration from the framers of our Constitution. Some may wonder what this UCC is all about. But, after reading the debates of the Constituent Assembly, one would realise that it is in that same spirit," he said. He said even the BJP government had the courage to take such decisions and was trying to implement UCC in the spirit of what the Constitution makers had envisioned.