Slamming the previous governments, he questioned their intent to execute the tasks that remained pending for as long as 70 years after Independence.
Addressing his first election meeting at the CBD Ground in east Delhi's Karkardooma, the Prime Minister presented the 'report card' of his government.
During his one-hour long speech, Modi said: "Today, not just the Opposition, even many well wishers wonder what is the need to work so fast? To put the nation on the fast track of development, we will have to get rid of decades-old problems and challenges."
Modi discussed a total of 30 important decisions taken by the government.
Interacting with the gathering in a Q&A style, Modi said: "How many years it took to get rid of Article 370? Seventy years. After how many years the India-Bangladesh border dispute was resolved? again, after 70 years. In how many years did the refugees get the right to citizenship from the CAA? The answer is 70 years later. The decision on the Ram Janmabhoomi came after how many years of independence? It's 70."
The Prime Minister also mentioned about the memorial for martyred soldiers and policemen, solution to Bodo problem, Anonymous Enemy Property Act, Bru Refugees Agreement, GST implementation, Sikh riots of 84 (to punish the culprits), Next Generation fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, and the decision on One Rank One Pension to soldiers.
Prime Minister Modi carried on the discussion of the list of works: "For the first time Ind were liberated from the 'display of power' of red beacon lights, the poor people of the general class availed the right to reservation, tax on income up to Rs 5 lakh has been made Zero. For the first time, farmers, labourers and traders were provided pension facility. For the first time, 50 crore poor people got free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. For the first time, eight crore poor got cooking gas connection in their kitchen, hundred million households got toilets, and our Muslim sisters got rid of Triple Talaq system. "
The Prime Minister went on to say the intent of the government has to be clear to take such decisions.
"When the intentions are clear, only then such decisions are taken... and development takes place. In the 21st century, Delhi should be developed at a fast pace. The city should have a modern infrastructure and that is our priority."
(Navneet Mishra can be contacted at navneet.m@.in)
( With inputs from IANS )