Centre, states to work together for India's progress, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his government was taking states on board for development of the country, asserting India can move ahead only on the “strong shoulders” of the states and not from Delhi alone. “India is not going to progress from Delhi,” Modi said while delivering the inaugural address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here.

Citing various measures taken by his government like setting up special departments for states at the Centre in taking them along, Modi said the states have the most “important role” in India's progress.

“If we (Centre and states) walk together shoulder to shoulder then results will automatically show,” he said.

Modi said it is important that the world knows about our states and their strengths.

During his 40-minute speech, laced with humour, the Prime Minister also said a decisive mandate given to his party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was crucial to country's progress.

Having a stable Government is a very big thing and this can't be ignored. Fractured mandates always have uncertainty," he said, adding, there was "despondency" all over before his government took over office in May last year.

"I have to go to Parliament. The good news is that Parliament is running," he said, and hastened to add, "the credit does not go to Modi but to all the parties".

The prime minister made the reference about the functioning of the Parliament against the backdrop of the virtual washout of its Monsoon session over various issues.