The constituents of BJP-led NDA allies on Tuesday expressed full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of results of Lok Sabha elections, saying the past five years have brought about a change in India’s perception that it was a soft state.

The BJP-led NDA meeting is being seen as its show of strength and projection of a united front by the ruling alliance ahead of counting of votes on May 23, following which a new government will assume charge.

At the meeting attended by leaders of 36 parties, including Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackery and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal, the leaders expressed full confidence about the victory of the alliance on May 23 and said 2019 will be “a decisive moment” in history.

Leaders from AIADMK, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy, his deputy O. Panneerselvam and those from Asom Gana Parishad, and AJSU also attended the meeting. They said the ruling alliance had become “a principal pillar” of Indian politics.

A resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India “strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive” by 2022, when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters.

Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan proposed the resolution.

In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the NDA was an “organic entity”, ” stronger than before” and “a strong pillar to fulfil regional aspirations”. He said the election narrative was seeing a change and said, “the poor were the biggest caste”.

The NDA leaders at the meeting, which was presided by Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, felicitated the prime minister and praised his council of ministers for their work.

The resolution expressed confidence that the NDA will come back to power under PM Modi and said its government planned a capital investment of Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure while Rs 25 lakh crore will be devoted to farm and rural sectors.

Hailing Modi’s leadership and expressing faith in him, the resolution adopted by NDA leaders said their alliance is a true representative of India’s diversity and dynamism.

Almost all the exit polls have predicted a comfortable majority for the ruling government. However, exit polls have not always proved to be right.

(With agency inputs)