Prime Minister Narendra Modi today makes his 10th straight Independence Day address and this will be his last one before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Given that Modi has often used the occasion to present his government’s report card, unveil flagship schemes, and present his governance vision, this speech assumes importance. The PM will look to make an impact on voters with his last Independence Day speech before the all-important battle and political observers will watch out for the political messaging in the speech.
Since his first speech from the Red Fort in 2014, when he announced the Swachh Bharat Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana, and Digita India Mission, Modi has used the fort’s ramparts to make high-impact announcements and sought to engage with citizens on issues ranging from combatting crimes against women to social conflicts. In 2018, the year before he went back to voters seeking re-election for the first time, Modi had announced the Ayushman Bharat health scheme and, talking about the Triple Talaq Bill, said, “I will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Muslim women do not suffer due to triple talaq.”
Last year, Modi set out his broad vision for the next quarter of a century leading up to the centenary celebrations, labelling them the “Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal” or the five commitments for the next 25 years. The five pledges that Modi spoke of are the goal of a developed India by 2047, removing any trace of a colonial mindset, taking pride in our roots, unity amongst workers, especially women, and the duties and responsibilities of citizens.
Upon his arrival at the Red Fort today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane will receive the PM. The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth to Modi. According to PIB, “The GoC Delhi Area will then conduct Shri Narendra Modi to the Saluting Base where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present general salute to the Prime Minister. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour.”
After this, Modi will head to the ramparts of the Red Fort to unfurl the national flag. Ahead of the address, the Congress targeted the PM. “Tomorrow, the prime minister will unleash a torrent of lies from the ramparts of the Red Fort for one last time. Last week, the entire country saw his tsunami of lies in Parliament. But will he have the courage to question the corruption and incompetence of his own government and ministers?” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Monday.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee said in Kolkata, “Modi ji’s Independence Day speech tomorrow will be his last speech as prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort.”
Expect more biting attacks from the Opposition after Modi gets done with his speech. Follow it in our live blog as we bring you all the crucial analyses and reactions.
Independence Day will be celebrated across the country, including all the state capitals. But one to watch out for will be Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who, in his speech, will mention a part of the state government’s plan to move forward with delimitation. On August 11, the Election Commission published the final delimitation order for the state’s parliamentary and Assembly constituencies, an exercise that is being carried out for the first time in the state since 1976. But this order has already caused a lot of heartburn, with complaints ranging from the reduction in minority seats to sitting legislators bemoaning the loss of their constituencies. Sukrita Baruah’s report on how the delimitation order is playing out politically in the state, including among the BJP’s allies, will be published later in the day.
Most Read
Bigg Boss OTT 2 Finale Live Updates: Elvish Yadav is the winner of Salman Khan’s show
Happy Independence Day 2023: Wishes Images, Whatsapp Messages, Status, Quotes, and Photos
In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will launch the Mukhyamantri Nishulk Annapurna Food Packet Scheme. Under the scheme, families covered under the National Food Security Act will get the Annapurna food packets every month from the fair price shops for free. Each packet will contain one kg each of gram pulses, sugar and iodised salt, one litre of soybean refined edible oil, 100 gms each of chilli powder and coriander powder, and 50 gms of turmeric powder. The popularity of Gehlot’s welfare measures, especially a health insurance scheme, has the BJP searching for answers.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar will begin a two-day visit to Aurangabad in central Maharashtra starting today. Pawar is scheduled to attend the condolence meetings organised in the memories of Marathi poet Namdeo Dhondo Mahanor and educationist Prataprao Borade. Pawar on Monday again said his party would have nothing to do with the group led by his nephew Ajit Pawar but the anxiety of his Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) continues to grow.
Later in the day: Shahid Pervez’s From the Urdu Press column where he brings you the best of news and opinion from top Urdu dailies.
(With PTI inputs)