PM's address
 

Soniaji,
Friends,

I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the Congress Parliamentary Party for giving me this high honour. I humbly accept this heavy responsibility and pledge to work with sincerity and dedication for the Congress Party and for the people of this great country.

Greetings to all of you. I congratulate each one of you for the impressive victory you have recorded in the elections. I would like to thank each and every member of the Congress Party, all our party workers and supporters across the country for their dedication and commitment.

It is the inspirational leadership of Soniaji, the enterprise and ingenuity of Rahulji and the dedication and hard work of each and every member of our Party that has made this victory possible.

This is a historic victory for the Congress Party. After years of hard work we have once again regained the centre-stage of our nation's political life. The Congress Party has always been a mirror to our society. We have always represented the plurality and the composite culture of our great nation. Together we represent every region, every community, every section of this vast sub¬-continent. No other political party can make that claim.

I am confident that under Soniaji's leadership we will continue to march ahead. A new golden era begins for the Indian National Congress in this 60th year of our Republic.

The people of India have given us an impressive mandate. They have rubbished the fashionable theory of anti-incumbency. But we have to work harder and better to secure a wholesome mandate entirely in our favour. That is the challenge before our party and our Government.

Friends,

This new mandate comes with the challenge of rising expectations. The youth of India, inspired by the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, have voted in large numbers for our party. But it is in the nature of youth to be impatient. They will not tolerate 'business as usual'. They expect us to work with renewed energy. They expect the Government to cater to their aspirations. They expect a more responsive Government. They expect a more efficient Government.

Hence, our first priority will have to be to re-energise Government and improve governance. We have to make government more efficient and effective, more responsive and active.

Equally important is the challenge of reviving economic growth and creating new employment opportunities. The UPA Government made history by delivering higher growth and more inclusive growth over the past five years. But this year the global economic slowdown has hurt us. There is some slowing down of investment and employment generation. We have to reverse this. We have to revive growth and make it even more inclusive.

I will ask every minister to set time-bound targets for implementation of our election promises and the various programmes and policies of each ministry. We will undertake quarterly review of programme implementation by each ministry.

The composition of our party in the new Lok Sabha is a blessing for the Government. You represent a healthy mix of experience, talent and youthful enterprise. Our Government will therefore be a blend of experience and energy.

Friends,

I do not wish to minimise the daunting nature of the challenges ahead. The global economy is still passing through difficult times. Our neighbourhood remains troubled by civil conflict, extremism and terrorism. We need a Government that is vigilant and effective in dealing with the threat of terrorism and extremism. I assure you that we will not be found wanting in this regard. The assurance of internal security is a top most priority for us. Equally important is maintenance of communal harmony and peace. The Union Government will work closely with State Governments in this regard.

We will also work with State governments to ensure better implementation of our welfare schemes, especially the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, National Rural Health Mission, Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and programmes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities.

This election verdict is a verdict for inclusive growth. It is a verdict for equitable development. It is a verdict for a secular and plural India. It is a verdict in favour of the basic values, the ideas and ideals, that inspired our national movement for freedom and define our Constitution.

Hence, ensuring that our growth process is socially and regionally inclusive and equitable will be a priority for us. Ensuring that people of all regions, all religions, all languages and castes benefit from growth will be a priority for us.

But to make growth inclusive we must also ensure that we can sustain growth. This requires new investment. This requires creating a social and political environment in which new investment can be made. This requires better management of our finances. This requires reform of the economy. This requires revitalisation of agriculture and acceleration of industrial development. We have to continue to keep our savings and investment rates high and become more globally competitive so that we can face global economic challenges.

Friends,

There are many among you who have come to the Lok Sabha for the first time. I urge each of you to become familiar with Parliamentary practice and procedure so that you can participate effectively in the debates. I hope each of you will rise to the expectations of your voters and retain their trust and support.

I sincerely hope the 15th Lok Sabha will witness a more cooperative atmosphere and more productive proceedings. We will extend a hand of friendship to members of all political parties, cutting across the political spectrum, and invite them to play the role of a constructive opposition.

Wherever I have travelled in the world I have been overwhelmed by the regard people have for our democracy, for our open, plural and inclusive society. The world is watching with eagerness whether India's experiment with democracy can also deliver development and eradicate poverty, ignorance and disease. Our success gives hope not just to millions in our country but across the world. Let us work together to ensure that the Parliament functions as an effective instrument of governance.

Soniaji, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me end by saying that India stands tall once again as a great democracy. But the challenges before us are daunting. Many nations in Asia are marching ahead. The world is experiencing a shift in the dynamics of growth from the West to the East. We cannot afford to miss this bus now. We cannot afford to lag behind the rising economies of the East.

The five years in front of us could well be a decisive half decade. If we can sustain the growth rates of the last five years, we can reduce poverty, create new employment, accelerate rural development and industrialisation, transform the lives of our people. The period ahead could be decisive. We must grasp the nettle firmly and forge ahead.

I assure you that I will try my best to make our Government a catalyst of change. An instrument of equitable and efficient development. I request every member of Parliament to strengthen the hands of our Government so that together we can take the Congress Party to new heights of glory. Jai Hind!