By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 12 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt today addressed the media at the BJP State Headquarters here today regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure so far.
Dhami asserted that PM Modi’s tenure as the country’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister has been dedicated to India’s progress and development. He described the period as a golden era marked by self-confidence, national security and India’s emergence as a respected force on the global stage. Referring to Uttarakhand, Dhami said the PM’s special affection for the state have translated into unprecedented developmental support and transformative changes. He added that Modi’s tenure has brought pride and prosperity to both the nation and the people of Devbhoomi.
The CM also asserted that during this period Modi has not only set the record of becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister but has also accelerated India’s journey from a developing nation towards becoming a developed country. He noted that the people have repeatedly endorsed this vision by electing the government in 2014, 2019 and again in 2024, proving that voters now reward performance rather than slogans. According to him, India today is a confident, secure and globally respected nation.
Dhami said the country had witnessed an era, particularly under Congress governments, when many schemes and projects remained confined to official files. In contrast, he said, the Modi government ensured that projects were not only conceived but also implemented on the ground. He felt that while earlier governments often performed foundation stone ceremonies and left future generations waiting for inaugurations, the present government has ensured timely completion of projects.
The CM also alleged that while Congress governments had raised slogans of poverty eradication for decades, they had failed to bring meaningful change in the lives of the poor. He credited the Modi government with lifting 25 crore people out of poverty, a development that had drawn global appreciation. He further claimed that corruption had become institutionalised during previous regimes, whereas the digital revolution and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system introduced by the present government had prevented Rs 4.31 lakh crores from reaching undeserving beneficiaries. The DBT on the other hand has ensured that funds reach those genuinely in need and contribute to faster development. He added that India has emerged as the world leader in digital transactions, a feat that many developed nations continue to view with admiration.
Highlighting the government’s role in religious and cultural revival, Dhami said previous governments had delayed the issue of the Ram Temple for decades. He credited Modi with facilitating not only the construction of the Ram Temple but also the redevelopment of Kashi, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Mahakal in Ujjain, Somnath and several other revered sites, thereby strengthening both cultural faith and national pride.
Dhami further claimed that the Modi government has also transformed the nature of Indian politics. According to him, while Congress politics revolved around appeasement and vote-bank considerations, the present government had adopted a policy focused on the welfare and satisfaction of all sections of society. He also reminded that the government’s priorities are evident from the fact that the Prime Minister’s first signature after assuming office for a second term was on the file related to the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. He noted that 81 crore people are receiving free food grains, four crore poor families had been provided permanent houses and 11 crore women have benefited from the Ujjwala Yojana. Programmes such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan had, he said, brought tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
Discussing national security, Dhami said there had been a dramatic shift in India’s response to terrorism. He asserted that the new India no longer limited itself to condemnation but responded decisively. Referring to Operation Sindoor, the surgical strikes and air strikes, he said these actions had demonstrated India’s new security doctrine to the world. He also claimed that the government had made significant progress in eliminating Naxalism, resulting in peace and development in previously affected regions.
Speaking about infrastructure development, Dhami said that while only 11 kilometres of roads were being constructed per day in 2014, the figure has now increased to more than 34 kilometres daily. He said modern infrastructure projects such as Vande Bharat trains, the Atal Tunnel, the Chenab Bridge and world-class railway stations have become symbols of a new India. He also noted that India has now emerged as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market.
Speaking about Uttarakhand, Dhami said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance and affection for the state, development projects worth more than Rs 2 lakh crores are currently underway. He said the redevelopment of Kedarnath and Badrinath had established Devbhoomi on the global spiritual map. Projects such as the Char Dham All-Weather Road, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project and the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor had brought revolutionary changes in connectivity. He added that the Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects would significantly enhance pilgrimage facilities in the coming years.
The CM further reminded of the success of the Vibrant Villages Programme, saying it has ushered development into border villages. He noted that more than 2.54 lakh women in Uttarakhand have become Lakhpati Didis, describing it as a powerful example of women’s empowerment made possible through the Prime Minister’s initiatives. Referring to Mana village, which Prime Minister Modi had described as the country’s ‘first village’, he said the decision to prioritise development there has yielded remarkable results, making it the nation’s first village where all eligible women have attained Lakhpati Didi status. He added that border areas, once plagued by migration and neglect, were witnessing renewed growth and optimism due to the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Uttarakhand, Dhami said that while Congress leaders treated the state as a destination for “electoral tourism”, Prime Minister Modi shared a deep spiritual and emotional connection with Uttarakhand. He remarked that despite alternative locations in the state where weather conditions were favourable, Rahul Gandhi chose to return, suggesting that his visit depended more on convenience than commitment.
BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said the gathering marks a historic moment as the country has completed 12 years of service, good governance, welfare-oriented policies and commitment to a developed India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said the period represents not merely the tenure of a government but a transformative journey that had enhanced India’s self-confidence, global standing and quality of life for millions of citizens.
Bhatt said India has achieved unprecedented milestones across sectors during the past 12 years, including poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, farmers’ welfare, youth opportunities, infrastructure development and digital transformation. He stated that India has emerged as a strong, capable and decisive nation on the world stage.
Referring to Uttarakhand, he said the period held special significance for the state. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, Uttarakhand has achieved new milestones in development, investment, tourism, connectivity, employment generation and cultural preservation. He said the state was playing a leading role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
During the media interaction, a short documentary showcasing major achievements, welfare initiatives and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in both India and Uttarakhand was also screened.
Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, BJP State General Secretary Kundan Parihar, State Vice-President Anil Goyal, State Media In-charge Manveer Chauhan, Co-Media In-charge Rajendra Negi and State Spokesperson Kamlesh Raman.
