Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to intensify efforts towards inclusive development and ensure that millions of Indians who have recently emerged from poverty do not slip back into economic hardship.
Addressing Chief Ministers, alliance partners and senior leaders at an NDA conclave commemorating 12 years of his government, the Prime Minister reflected on the achievements of the past decade while outlining priorities for the years ahead.
A key focus of his address was the welfare of the country’s growing “neo-middle class” — families that have risen above poverty through economic growth, welfare initiatives and improved opportunities.
“I believe that we must ensure that those who were poor yesterday and have now become part of the neo-middle class do not fall back. As a government and as public representatives, we must continue working tirelessly towards this goal,” the Prime Minister said.
Emphasising the responsibility of governance, PM Modi said the government remains committed to fulfilling the aspirations of India’s 1.4 billion citizens. He highlighted the importance of empowering youth, women, farmers and the middle class, describing them as the driving forces behind the nation’s progress.
The Prime Minister asserted that the vision of a developed India, or “Viksit Bharat,” has evolved beyond a political slogan and become a shared national mission embraced by citizens across the country.
“For me, the people of India are like God. Serving them is my foremost responsibility,” he said.
PM Modi also credited Indian voters for consistently supporting political stability and decisive governance. He observed that the country has moved away from the era of political uncertainty and fragile coalitions that characterised several decades before 2014.
“The people of India understand the value of political stability at the national level. Their faith and maturity have given me the opportunity to serve the nation for such a long period,” he remarked.
Highlighting India's economic performance, the Prime Minister noted that the country continued to register strong growth despite global challenges, including the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing international economic uncertainties.
He pointed to India's reported economic growth of 7.7 per cent in 2025-26 as evidence of the benefits of stable leadership and policy continuity.
“This period has repeatedly demonstrated the advantages of a stable government and long-term policymaking,” he said.
The Prime Minister also outlined several initiatives undertaken for the middle class, including tax reforms, rapid infrastructure expansion, digital transformation, and measures aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and employment generation.
According to him, these initiatives have helped create greater economic opportunities while improving the ease of living for ordinary citizens.
Reiterating his government's guiding philosophy, PM Modi said national interest must always take precedence over political considerations.
“For us, nothing is greater than the nation. When decisions are taken with a ‘Nation First’ approach, no challenge appears insurmountable,” he stated.
The conclave carried additional significance as it coincided with PM Modi surpassing the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru as an elected Prime Minister. Modi crossed the milestone of 4,398 days in office, becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister in India's history.
Unlike Nehru’s initial years as head of the interim government before the first general elections, PM Modi’s tenure reflects leadership across three consecutive electoral mandates secured through national elections.
The NDA meeting served both as a celebration of the government’s 12-year journey and as a platform for discussing future priorities. Leaders reviewed progress made in areas such as infrastructure development, digital governance, welfare delivery, economic reforms and national security.
Concluding his address on an optimistic note, the Prime Minister urged NDA leaders to maintain their focus on development and work collectively towards achieving the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of the country’s independence.