'Mahila shakti', ‘women first’ for BJP and government, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday that India was moving forward from women development to women-led development and "women first" is the mantra of his government and party--Bharatiya Janata Party.

In an attempt to woo women voters ahead of the May 12 Assembly elections in Karnataka, Modi interacted with BJP Mahila Morcha workers through the 'NarendraModi App.

"Today, the country is moving forward from women development to women-led development... We have such a mantra for country's development, our party also believes in this mantra," Modi said.
        
"Mahila shakti" (woman power), Modi said, was important in the BJP's scheme of things.
        
"For us, whether it is the organisation or the government, or framing of programmes, it is women first," he added.

Earlier, Modi interacted with BJP office-bearers and candidates, and state farmers' wing leaders.

Pointing out that capable women hold important portfolios in his cabinet, Modi recalled two group photos of the SCO summit in China where External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were the only women.

"Both of them have connection with Karnataka," Modi said. Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, while Swaraj had contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from Ballari against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, which the latter won.

Modi then called upon women to focus on winning at the polling booth level.
        
"We have to win the state election and we will win. We have to win Assembly constituency we will win. But as always I urge karyakartas (workers) for me the most important thing is winning polling booths.

"Where is the victory? It is in polling booths, rest is all its effects. We have to win polling booths. When we have to win polling booths, we will have to go to homes, highlight the false promises and misdeeds of Karnataka's Congress government," he said.

Modi said though several welfare schemes for women were launched in the past, they lacked direction and failed to take into account their basic and small needs.

The prime minister enlisted various initiatives of his government for women empowerment, healthcare and maternity leave requirements.
        
While responding to a question by a woman BJP activist about atrocities on women and ways to check them, he said a blend of family values, culture, functioning of police and authorities, and prompt justice can play an important role in checking such incidents.

The prime minister also stressed on the need for instilling the "fear of law". He said provisions of the IPC, CRPC and POCSO were made more stringent by his government to instil that fear.

"Those committing rape of innocent children can be hanged. Necessary steps have been taken for time-bound investigation and fast track courts have been set up for such crimes," he added.

Terming female infanticide "perversity of the society", he spoke about 'Beti Bachao, Bati Padhao'  programme of his government and the positive developments it has brought about in areas with poor gender ratio.

Modi said women should play an equal role in social, economic and other fields of life. Whether it is the Olympics or Commonwealth games, Indian women made the country proud. They are also excelling in the defence forces and becoming entrepreneurs, he said.

In a first, his government has decided that women will be in a combat role in the Army, he said, adding a proposal for giving them 33 per cent reservation in police force in the Union Territories is also under consideration.

Modi said his government and the BJP are "completely and comprehensively" committed to "naari shakti" (women power), a significant part of the New India vision.

Modi asked the Mahila Morcha workers to appeal to everyone to join India's journey to progres