Text of the Prime Minister's address
to the nation
A B Vajpayee
Dear Countrymen
Elections to the 14th Lok Sabha
are over. The voters have given their verdict. I accept the verdict. This
evening, I submitted my resignation to respected Rashtrapatiji. India is
the worldâ?Ts largest democracy. It is always with the will of the
people that governments have been formed - and changed. This power of democracy
is a matter of pride for our country, something which we must always cherish,
preserve and further strengthen.
I thank all of you sincerely for
giving me an opportunity to serve the nation as Prime Minister since March
1998. Your goodwill and affection were my greatest asset. Your support
and trust were my greatest source of strength.
When you gave us the mandate, the
nation was faced with the challenge of stability, good governance and development.
It is for you - and history - to judge what we achieved during this period.
I do, however, have the satisfaction
that our country is now stronger and more prosperous than when you placed
the reins of office in my hands. India's strides in social and economic
development during the past few years have announced her capability as
well as resolve to emerge as a developed nation soon. My party and alliance
may have lost, but India has won.
Friends, ours is a multi-religious,
multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nation. However, in spite of her immense
diversities, our national culture has woven an unbreakable thread of unity
since antiquity. We tried to replicate this ethos of unity in diversity
in running our coalition government. We strenghtened Indian democracy by
demonstrating that coalition governance can be stable, and also successfully
deal with the challenges before the nation.
We reinforce the bonds of national
unity and social solidarity. We laid emphasis on resolving contentious
issues through dialogue, in an atmosphere of peace and mutual goodwill.
Today, I especially thank the people
of Jammu and Kashmir for once again reposing their faith in democracy and
for giving a firm rebuff to the forces of militancy. India has shown her
resolve and capability to overcome the challenges of cross-border terrorism.
India has also embarked on a historic peace process with our neighbour.
It will remain my lifelong wish to see that we herald a new chapter of
peace, co-operation and friendship in South Asia, with the Peopleâ?Ts
Republic of China and with other nations in the world. Dear countrymen,
we have given up office but not our responsibility to serve the nation.
We have lost an election, but not our determination. Victory and defeat
are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity.
We will always extend our hand of
co-operation to the new government in all its endeavours that are in the
interest of the nation and the people.
I thank you again for all your warm
support.
Thank you
Jai Hind.
