Mandate for Modi govt to continue with development agenda:Prez

President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday said a "very clear mandate" for the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha polls was for continuing uninterrupted the development journey that it started in 2014, as he listed the government's achievements and goals.

In an hour-long address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Kovind said national security was paramount for the government as he touched on surgical strikes and air strikes on Pakistan-based terror camps.

He also underlined the government's resolve to remove "social evils" of triple talaq and 'nikah halala' and promised to intensify its crackdown on corruption.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and MPs of both Houses in attendance, the President said the Lok Sabha polls had enhanced the credibility of Indian democracy as a record number of people- 61 crore- voted, including the highest share of women.

Kovind, in his speech, which is prepared by the government of the day, said empowering every person in the country is the main goal of the ruling dispensation which, he added, wants to build a 'New India' by 2022 in which there is no discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion.

"The people of the country have given a very clear mandate in this election. After assessing the performance of the government during its first tenure, people have given even stronger support for the second term. By doing so, they have given a mandate for continuing uninterrupted and at an accelerated pace the journey of development which started in 2014," he said.

He also pushed for simultaneous elections in the country, saying it is the "need of the hour."
Talking about the federal structure of the country, Kovind said "strengthening the system and spirit of cooperative federalism, my government is taking the states along to achieve national goals."