PM Modi bets on 'Team India', stable government

Says his government honours federal structure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yet again emphasised on his government's focus on the concept of 'Team India'.  PM Modi, who arrived in Gujarat on Tuesday, a day ahead of the Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Ahmedabad, was addressing the Gujarat BJP workers during a felicitation ceremony held in honour of the PM and BJP national president Amit Shah.  This was first visit of Modi and Shah to the state after they assumed their respective position at the national level.

Explaining the importance of a stable government, Modi said that it was very important for global recognition of a nation. A stable government in India is what has attracted a super like China to build ties with India, he added.

Soon after arriving in Gujarat and being felicitated by party workers Modi Tweeted, "Thank you Gujarat! Great to be back after almost 4 months. Landed to a very warm welcome by Karyakartas & Leaders."

"When we are ushering development in the country with focuse on the concept of Team India. Unfortunately, in the past, when the Centre and states had the same government or when there were different governments at Centre and states, they did not feel the need of building such a team," said PM Modi, who was visiting Gujarat a day before his 64th birthday. He was speaking to a packed gathering of over 5,000 persons on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

The Prime Minister added that the new government honours the federal structure of India and takes along all states irrespective of the ruling government there.  

"My experience as a CM has convinced me that India's growth can only come from its unity.  India's strong foundation cannot be built on the pillar of Delhi alone but on all states. Our government honours the federal structure of India and takes along all states irrespective of the government ruling there to work together as Team India.  Nobody thought about doing this in the past," he said generating huge applauds from the crowd.

Applauding the efforts of party workers, Modi called for more efforts by BJP workers towards ensuring full majority.

The PM pleaded with citizens of the country to ensure stability of government irrespective of whichever party was at the helm.  "Full majority benefits the Indian democracy. We have lost 10 years. How can we fill that gap? Party workers, citizens and even states should ensure full majority for the benefit of the country and its development," he stated.

Taking a dig at his critics who questioned his 'vision' for the country, PM Modi said, "People often debate on vision, big vision and grand vision. I would like to say that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is the vision where bank managers go to the poor and invite them to their banks to open accounts.  They (past government) didn't understand it. I understood it."

Further praising the party workers, Modi said, "My success does not lie in Gujarat succeeding when I am here but when I am not here. After four months being away from the state, I am proud to say that Gujarat is growing faster than before. I have full faith in the leadership. Gujarat runs not by Modi or Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel but by a team of workers."