Hailing the 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday said that the NDA’s growing footprint across the country reflected the people’s faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Addressing a media conclave in the state capital, Sai said that when the NDA came to power in 2014, it governed only seven states, whereas today NDA governments are in power in 22 states. “I had the opportunity to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2014, the BJP and NDA were in power in only seven states across the country; today they govern 22 states, which is a testament to the public’s trust,” he said.

 

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the three crore people of Chhattisgarh on the completion of 12 years of the Modi government, Sai said that a prosperous and empowered India was being built on the guiding principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’. “It is a new India that does not provoke anyone, but also does not spare those who threaten or provoke it,” he remarked. The Chief Minister said that under Modi’s leadership, the country had witnessed a transformative era marked by inclusive welfare, infrastructure development and improved governance.

 

He expressed confidence that India would achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Highlighting the Centre’s achievements, Sai said the NDA government had delivered remarkable progress in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and social welfare. He noted that India had emerged as a global model in COVID-19 management through free testing, vaccination, treatment and foodgrain distribution. Referring to national security, he said that surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor had demonstrated the country’s firm resolve against terrorism and external threats.

 

Sai said that financial inclusion had expanded significantly, with more than 58 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts opened across the country, including over 32 crore accounts in the names of women. He added that the Central government had been providing free foodgrains to nearly 81 crore beneficiaries since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission. “When the Prime Minister announced the construction of toilets from the Red Fort on August 15, 2014, critics mocked the initiative. Today, more than 12 crore toilets have been built, proving the importance of dignity and sanitation,” he said. He further said that several welfare schemes, including the PM SVANidhi scheme, had empowered small entrepreneurs by providing easy access to credit. Stressing the government’s commitment towards tribal welfare, Sai said that the election of Droupadi Murmu as the President of India had enhanced the dignity and representation of the tribal community.