Attacking Congress over dual power centres during UPA's reign, BJP on Saturday said its rule has restored the credibility, dignity and stature of the post of Prime Minister, who has the last word in this government.
"UPA's attempt to reduce the stature of Prime Minister's position by setting up power centre outside the government, we always felt such a system cannot continue in a democracy and we have reversed that," senior BJP leader and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at a press conference to mark the first anniversary of Narendra Modi government.
"The last year has restored the credibility, dignity and stature of the Prime Minister's Office. In this government, the last word belongs to the Prime Minister and that is how it should be," he said.
Jaitley asserted that the party has become the central pole of Indian politics and the national polity will now be guided along pro-BJP and anti-BJP lines.
BJP also announced a host of programmes including 200 big rallies and 5,000 public meetings across the country to mark the first anniversary of its government which all Union and state ministers, party MPs and office bearers will address.
Jaitley also said minorities in the country were safe and in the last one year, government has made attempts to ensure there is no social tension. On provocative statements made by BJP leaders, he said they were told not to do so and some incidents like attacks on churches were found to be law and order issues. "Today all such religious institutions have been provided with security, which was never there in the past," he said. He said the party and the government together displayed a lot of coordination and there is enthusiasm among party workers across the country. "Our party and our cadres are proud of our performance," he asserted.
"Policy paralysis has been replaced by quick decision- making process, reluctance has been replaced by decisiveness.
There is clarity of direction in the government. A very big change is that corruption has been replaced by transparent governance. Crony
capitalism has been replaced by liberal policy-based governance," he said.
Jaitley assures Christian community safety, security
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met 17 religious leaders, led by Archbishop of Delhi Anil JT Couto on Saturday. During the informal meeting, Jaitley assured the minority communities that they are safe in India and claimed that attacks on Churches in India including the one in the national capital was a law and order issues, He assured them that NDA government will take all necessary steps needed for their safety and security. “It was a cordial meeting and we are hopeful that the new government at the Centre will consider our issues. We are happy that he met us at his residence and we shared our views on our safety and security,” Father Savari Muthu, spokesperson of the Delhi Archdiocese said. Archbishop Couto, Faridabad Bishop Kuriackose Bharanikulangara, Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas, Jesuit provincial of South Asia Father George Patteri and Father Savari Muthu, spokesperson of the Delhi Archdiocese were also part of the group who met Jaitley.