BJP running the longest corruption-free Government, Modi says amidst Rafale row

Addressing the BJP's National Executive meeting amidst a nationwide row over the Rafale fighter jet deal that the Opposition has taken up to unveil the "corruption" in the Government, Modi said the BJP has shown the nation how to take it to the peak. He also called upon the party workers to take the Government to every household.

"Ours is the Longest Corruption-free Govt. We passed three resolutions. We should learn each word spoken in these resolutions. We need to take governance to each household. The nation looks up to us," he said.

"The  BJP has shown how it can take the nation to its peak. For the longest, it's the first corruption free government. The previous governments pushed the nation into a well of darkness — 2004 to 2014 was all resolution about corruption and scams," he said.

Earlier, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said PM Modi had saved thousands of crores of rupees on the Rafale deal. "Our focus should be to get back PM Modi to power," he said.

Talking on 10 per cent  quota for upper caste poor, PM Modi said, "this is not just reservation but an attempt to give a new dimension to the aspirations of youths, who are left behind. The provision of reservation done by Babasaheb Ambedkar is as strong today as it was then. And will continue to remain strong."

"We have not touched the existing reservation system. This is an additional 10 per cent. You know, some people are trying to spread misinformation against this. We need to defeat their motives."

He said such opportunities were needed for the youth. "The youth of today knows they are heading to a better India and their government will support them no matter what."

Taking a dig at the Congress for neglecting the country for long, Modi said", had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been the first PM, the image of our country would have been different."

"When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the PM, India was a different nation. Had he continued as the prime minister after 2000, our country would have been different. We have taken the nation out of darkness and fear. Nation has moved towards honesty."

The PM requested each worker to live up to the principles of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "I offer my condolences to families of each worker whom we lost last year. I bow down to each party worker. It is due to your resolve that BJP has seen such a rise," he said.

"This is the first time that the BJP council meet is being held without late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I am sure he is blessing us from wherever he is, and I am sure he is happy to see his party's progress," Modi said.

Earlier, PM Modi  paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. "BJP is fortunate because we have imbibed his vision and have contributed for nation's building," he had said.