Modi govt's fourth anniversary triggers political slugfest

The fourth anniversary of Narendra Modi government on Saturday triggered a political slugfest with the Prime Minister promising "it is always India first" while Opposition sought to put the BJP-led dispensation on the mat.

Modi took to Twitter to greet people on the occasion with a tagline 'Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas' (Clean Intent, Right Development) and said, "n this day in 2014, we began our journey of working towards India’s transformation. Over the last four years, development has become a vibrant mass movement, with every citizen feeling involved in India's growth trajectory. 125 crore Indians are taking India to great heights!"

Bowing to citizens for their "unwavering faith" in his government, he said this support and affection is the biggest source of motivation and strength for the entire government and they will continue to serve the people of India with the same vigour and dedication.

"For us, it is always India First. With the best intent and complete integrity, we have taken futuristic and people-friendly decisions that are laying the foundations of a New India. #SaafNiyatSahiVikas," he said in a series of tweets.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore tweeted, "As Modi government completes four successful years, we reaffirm our commitment to taking the nation to ever-greater heights of development. From healthcare and education to infrastructure & electricity, Modi government has delivered in every field."

However, the Opposition did not find much merit in the government initiatives with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury taking to Twitter to counter Modi.

"The game of corruption in politics, failure in banking system, skyrocketing of petrol-diesel prices, weakening of rupee against dollar, scamsters fleeing country, show-off in foreign countries, negative impact of GST on inflation, war on Dalits, poor and women, farmers, jobless and workers in peril, fantastic four years," Yadav said.

Yechury referred to latest headlines on reducing interest for Provident Fund and other issues.

"Modi govt continues to rob hard working savers of their lifetime savings. Oil Prices continue to zoom, Inflation is up. Only people like Lalit Modi, Mallya and Nirav Modi get preferential treatment and are allowed to loot and scoot. #PFRateLowest," he tweeted.

Referring to reports about farmers committing suicide in BJP-ruled states due to fall in garlic prices, he said, "as you see all the huge advertisements from Modi today, remember that this is what he is celebrating. And they say that they have no money for the poor farmers."

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said these were four years of deceit, deception and dupery".

"PM Modi is in perpetual ‘Campaign’ & does not listen to ‘People’s Pain’. Time to make BJP accountable " he said.