New Delhi, Oct 7: Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public life, calling his journey from Gujarat Chief Minister to India’s Prime Minister one of “dedication, service, and transformative governance.”
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Prasad said, “Today is a proud day for our nation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 24 years in public service and enters his 25th year. His journey, which began in 2001 as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, continues as one of selfless service and commitment to the people.”
Highlighting the Modi government’s welfare initiatives, he said that under PM Modi’s leadership, around 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line. “Development for the poor is at the heart of Modi ji’s governance. Women empowerment is flourishing — be it Drone Didis, Jeevika Didis, or women Air Force pilots. The youth too are gaining new opportunities,” he added.
Prasad praised PM Modi’s vision for transforming India into a global digital powerhouse. “Under his leadership, ‘Digital India’ has earned global recognition. India leads the world in digital payments, and over four crore poor families have been provided pucca houses. The nation’s economy is now the fourth largest globally and is advancing toward the third position,” he noted.
Turning to West Bengal, Prasad launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over recent violent incidents involving BJP leaders, including MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh. “Mamata ji, please stop lecturing on democracy. Bengal is suffering due to infiltration, terrorism, and vote-bank politics,” he said, adding that the current situation in Bengal mirrors the ‘Jungle Raj’ once seen in Bihar under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s rule.
Prasad questioned the silence of intellectuals who once hailed Banerjee’s governance, saying, “Why are they quiet now when elected representatives are being attacked?”