New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government is behaving in the similar fashion, it did during the previous Atal Bihari Vajpayee tenure – boasting about its schemes in a gigantic way before general elections. But this time, there is a difference. The saffron party rules 22 States, either on sole majority or via coalition with regional parties, which was not the case in 2000.
Call it an eyewash or a just formality by the chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, attending the fourth Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog, and giving the opinion about the centrally launched schemes, it was clear that they were fawning the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reap political benefits.
With eye on 2019 General Elections , NaMo and his colleagues are beating the drums of their schemes anywhere possible. This has resulted either in gaining the lost popularity of PM Modi, which he enjoyed in 2014, or have created more loathe nationwide.
PM too enjoys this, and he knows how to tease the opposition with comments and statements, without naming anyone. Aiming at the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress (indirectly), this 56-inches chest bearing politician conveyed his message during his opening lecture at NITI Aayog’s fourth Governing Council meeting, held at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in the capital on Sunday.
Opening Statement
Appreciating the efforts of members to approach complex issues of governance as ‘Team India’, the NITI Aayog’s Chairperson pointed fingers in a satirical way by poking at the opposition parties, naming it with a phrase like ‘spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism’.
Beginning his opening remarks on an emotional mode, as he is a master in it, Modi assured the chief ministers from flood-affected States that his government will provide all necessary assistance, to deal with the situations. However, he did not speak about the amount or the kind of assistance.
Doubling GDP Rate
With an agenda to double the current growth rate of the Indian economy from 7.7 percent, Modi recalled the challenges the country is facing now economically. Among other things, the Union Chief stated on the smooth rollout and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by State governments and working as ‘Team India’, again.
Though the success of the GST is still under question, with many medium scaled business people across the country trying to understand the process yet, the King and his Ministers are boasting about it. However, they too know the reality, but their adamant behaviour won’t let them do so.
Historic Change
Reiterating that the Governing Council as a platform that can bring about ‘historic change’, the ‘Pradhan Sewak’ of India, which he himself called a couple of years ago at Red Fort, stated the States’ chief ministers played a key role in policy formulation, through sub-groups and committees on issues like ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, ‘Digital Transactions’ and ‘Skill Development’.
Adding, that recommendations by these sub-groups have been incorporated by various Ministries of the Union Government, this ‘Pradhan Sewak’ tried to woo the chief ministers, belonging from opposition parties, citing a ‘suspected’ coalition in 2019.
Vision 2022 or Agenda 2019?
In the opening remarks, while Modi was stating his government’s vision of a New India by 2022, there was a scent of Bharatiya Janata Party’s big plan for 2019 General Elections. Through the remarks, NaMo tried to play his cards of sentimental issues like doubling of farmers income, development of aspirational districts, Ayushman Bharat, Mission Indradhanush, Nutrition Mission and celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Stating success of his government in last four years, which he is famous for, the senior saffron leader said that his government is constructing 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres under the Ayushman Bharat. Also, 10 crore families will be provided health assurance worth Rs 5 lakhs every year, he added.
Not only the health, the ‘Pradhan Sewak’ tried to woo the State chiefs with his government’s comprehensive approach on education under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan. Along with it, schemes like Mudra Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana and Stand Up India were also on cards. However, success are widely known with Start Ups closing each month.
Stressing on the need to address and improve the parameters of human development in the 115 aspirational districts, Modi boasted about the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan too. Stating that the mission has been extended to 45,000 villages, with a target to cover seven important welfare schemes, he tried to recount that nearly 17,000 villages have already been accomplished.
Last, but not the least, the most celebrated leader of saffron party played his final card by targeting at the previous Congress government. He stated that in this current financial year, States are receiving over 11 lakh crore rupees from the Centre, which represents an increase of about 6 lakh crore rupees, from the last year of the previous government.
Though this card might appeal to many of the BJP-ruled States, the situation might not be the same for State like Andhra Pradesh, ruled by Telegu Desam Party, which broke its alliance with BJP in March this year, citing special package delays. AP CM Chandrababu Naidu had earlier expressed his ire over the issue.
What Next?
Calling the meeting a gathering of hopes and aspirations of the people of India, which needs to be fulfilled, the captain of BJP’s ship tried his best to make his move cautiously. Each remark made by the him had a message for the chief ministers and political parties to analyse.
Through this last Governing Council meeting – probably – of the NITI Aayog before the 2019 General Elections, Chairman Modi attempted to announce all his polices to the State chiefs. He not only recounted the ‘success’ of his government’s schemes, but clearly showed his and his party’s agenda of 2019, rather than the ‘New India’s Vision 2022’.