Noting that the recent general elections were a "turning point" in the "evolution of democratic polity" in the country, President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said that by voting in the Narendra Modi government the people have declared they want to see a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous India.Addressing a joint session of both houses of parliament, Mukherjee said: "The people of India have given a clear mandate. They want to see a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous India. They want to see a resurgent India regaining the admiration and respect of the international community."Brimming with hope and expectation, they want quick results. With three Ds of Democracy, Demography and Demand on our side, India is poised to actualize these aspirations. We must rise to the occasion to fulfill these great expectations.
"In 60 months from now, we should be able to say with confidence and pride that we have done it," the president said. Modi during his election campaign had said that if he and his government are given 60 months to perform then they will take India down the road to progress. The president began his 55-minute speech by congratulating the people for voting in record numbers.He hoped that "the sessions ahead with heavy legislative agenda will be productive and useful".Congratulating the election commission and the official machinery, the president said it is a "matter of great satisfaction that the general elections were smooth and largely peaceful".
"The unprecedented interest shown by the people of India in the elections is a sign of progressive deepening of our vibrant democracy," Mukherjee said, as he outlined the agenda of the Modi government. He also congratulated Sumitra Mahajan, an eight-time MP from Indore, who was unanimously elected Lok Sabha Speaker Friday."This has been an election of hope. It marks a turning point in the evolution of our democratic polity," the president said about the election process that gave a majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"The surge in aspirations and the belief that these could be realized through democratic processes, has been amply reflected in the record 66.4 percent participation by voters, and a clear verdict in favour of a single political party after a gap of nearly 30 years," he added.
The president said the country needed a strong and stable government that could provide effective leadership. "In my Republic Day speech earlier this year, I had hoped for 2014 to be a year of healing after the fractured and contentious politics of the previous years. Standing here today, I applaud the wisdom of my fellow citizens for having voted for stability, honesty and development in a resurgent India in which corruption will have no place."My government will work to fulfill these aspirations; with the involvement of all the 125 crore people of this great country," he added.Mukherjee also said that the government was committed to nurturing the right environment for actualizing the huge mandate of the people. "My government will function on the mantra of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance'. In all our actions, we will be guided by the core values of our great civilization," he added.