NDA seeks people’s blessings again, says Modi

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) With Lok Sabha poll schedule announced on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought a second term for the NDA, listing out his government's achievements in the last 5 years and recalling how Congress-led UPA was rejected by the voters in 2014.

In a series of tweets, Modi claimed that his government "spent the last five years fulfilling basic necessities that were left unfulfilled for 70 long years".

"Now, time has come to build on that and create a strong, prosperous and secure India.
Guided by 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas", NDA seeks your blessings again," he said.

He said that 2.5 crore families have electricity for the first time, 7 crore households have smoke-free kitchens and 1.5 crore Indians got their own homes during his regime.

Also, 50 crore Indians have access to good quality and free healthcare, 42 crore people of unorganised sector have access to old-age pension, 12 crore farmer households get yearly monetary support of Rs 6,000 and crores of middle class families are exempt from income tax, he added.

Modi said that in the last five years, what was earlier deemed impossible was now possible.

"Today, the people of India know that it is possible to: Become the fastest growing economy. Give a befitting reply to terror. Eliminate poverty at a record pace. Make India Swachh.Remove corruption and punish the corrupt. Ensure inclusive and extensive development," he said.

"In 2014, the people comprehensively rejected the UPA. There was unprecedented anger over the UPA's corruption, nepotism and policy paralysis. India's self-confidence was at an all-time low and the people of India wanted to rid the nation of such decay and pessimism," he said.

Urging active participation in the elections, he also called upon first-time voters to vote in record numbers and hoped for a historic turnout in the polls.

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 and the votes will be counted on May 23.