Modi takes swipe at 'gareebi hatao' slogan

Addressing a rally in this coastal Odisha town on completion of two years of his government, he called for a 'balanced' development in the country and wondered why the eastern belt had remained backward despite being generously bestowed with natural resources.

Pitching for development of Odisha, eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam, Modi said his government was committed to the welfare of the poor people who would be at the centre of all schemes.

Questioning former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's 'gareebi hatao' slogan, he said, "We have for the last 60 years heard the slogan of 'gareebi hatao'. I do not doubt the intention of those who gave this slogan. The intention may have been good but the path they chose to eradicate poverty was certainly wrong because poverty, umemployment and disease grew." 

He said governments are not for the rich, but the poor and they should work towards fighting poverty. Till the time scientific solutions to the problems are found, poverty will not be eradicated, he said.

"I had said that my government is dedicated to the welfare of poor people in the country. When I said this, my purpose was that no state or area should be left behind in development. There should be a balanced development and everyone should benefit from it...

"Governments are not for the rich but for the poor and should work for them. The poor should be at the centre of all governments schemes," he said.