A tale of four, not two, speeches: Manmohan vs Modi vs Nitish vs Chouhan

Their Independence Day speeches are as different as chalk and cheese

Arguably, making a speech every year on the occasion of Independence Day is a tedious job. The nation expects the Prime Minister on that day to say something inspiring, to say something remarkable and to say something worthy of some reflection. However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's lack of oratorical skills is the biggest impediment to his political career.
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The Hindustan Times said the PM's speech "set the tone for next year's general elections".

 

The Hindu too feels Singh's speech "was an appeal for a third term for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre, as he responded to criticism by opposition parties of his policies on economy, foreign relations and security ahead of elections".

 

 

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s oratory skills were on display again at a college in Bhuj an hour after the PM made his Independence Day address in Delhi. Even his hardcore critics agree on a single point that put him in front of any large crowd and the Gujarat CM, an accomplished public speaker, will start working his charm. The Hindutva poster boy launched a blistering attack on the PM, challenging him for a public debate on pressing issues while accusing him of taking a 'weak' stance on Pakistan. Modi may have won the crowd’s hearts in Gujarat, but will that help him win the votes in the next elections across India.

 

Singh spoke to an audience comprising cabinet ministers, diplomats, children from schools and some members of the public. Modi’s audience was made up of mainly locals from Kutch, BJP party workers and politicians from the area.

 

There are other PM aspirants, too. In the past, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar positioned himself as a possible rival to Modi as PM contender stating that only those who had an inclusive developmental agenda would be able to rule India.  In his Independence Day speech, the Bihar CM reiterated his demand for "special status" in a way that could be read as a signal to the Congress in an election year. 

 

Modi’s Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Chouhan began his Independence Day speech by paying respects to freedom fighters, especially those who went to the gallows. This was his last Independence Day address before the state goes to polls later this year. His speech was a long list of welfare schemes and statistics of the state's progress. "We have achieved a lot but new heights still remain to be attained," Chouhan said.

The Art of Speech : Highlights

. Government working with all its resources to rehabilitate those affected in Uttarakhand deluge

. Deeply pained at the loss of submarine INS Sindurakshak 

. We have worked with sincerity and honesty to build a progressive and modern India

. Hope Food Security Bill will be passed shortly 

. Need to improve the quality of education

. Growth rate came down to 5% last year; we are trying our best to remedy the situation

. This phase of slow growth will not last long

. Rapid economic growth is an imperative for our country.

. No place for narrow and sectarian ideologies in a modern, progressive and secular country

. Need to build an environment of political stability, social cohesion and security for this to happen

. Pakistan must prevent use of its territory and territory under its control for anti-India activities

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. Even after Independence, we are victims of mental slavery

. Gujarat played a key role during freedom struggle.

. UPA responsible for disruptions during Parliament proceedings. The ruling government is not letting parliament run.

. It would have been better of the PM had spoken about corruption in his speech

. Red Fort is not a place to challenge Pakistan but it is the foremost place to boost morale of the armed force.

. We should all reflect over the President's speech.

. There a 'saas bahu and damaad' serial running in the country. We wanted a good message from the PM's speech. But we were sadly disappointed.

. I am speaking from the border and my voice reaches out to Pakistan first.

. You spoke from Red Fort about the same problems Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about in 1947. What did you do all these years. 

. Like we freed Indians from the British, similarly we will free India from corruption.

. Let us have a competition between developments in India and Gujarat, Mr Prime Minister
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. Maintain communal harmony as it is a must for development and peace

. Grant special category status to Bihar for its fast development and high growth 

. Bihar model of development is development with justice to all without any discrimination.

. Have taken several steps to control corruption

. Have confiscated houses of corrupt officials and turned them into schools for the poorest of the poor.

. Announces scholarships for all girls from classes 1 to 10 irrespective of the economic status of their families

. Reiterates that he would not seek votes in the Assembly elections again if he failed to provide power to every household by 2015
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. Have achieved a lot but new heights still remain to be attained

 

. Recent incidents of aggression by neighbours had brought pain to our peace loving nation. It feels as if we are being challenged. The time has come to say that we will not bear it anymore.

 

. Maternal Mortality Rate has been brought down from 379 to 277 per lakh births. This is still high and we need to do much more to stop these deaths