Thousands of spectators turned out
for the annual military and cultural parade along New Delhi's ceremonial
Rajpath boulevard, along with political leaders and chief guest Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe.
On the eve
of Republic Day, traditionally celebrated with shows of patriotic fervour,
president Pranab Mukherjee warned politicians against corruption and false
electoral promises ahead of general elections due by May.
"Corruption
is a cancer that erodes democracy, and weakens the foundations of our
state," Mr Mukherjee said in an annual address aired live on national
television.
"If
Indians are enraged, it is because they are witnessing corruption and waste of
national resources. If governments do not remove these flaws, voters will
remove governments," he said.
Abe attends Republic day.jpg
PHOTO:
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves to the crowd upon his arrival before
the start of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. (Reuters: Adnan Abidi)
Before his
nomination as president in 2012, Mr Mukherjee was a senior minister in the
ruling Congress-led coalition which has been rocked by a series of corruption
scandals that has eroded voter support.
Mr.
Mukherjee also took what is seen as a swipe at India's new political star,
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who declared himself an anarchist this
month as he protested in the capital to press for police reform.
Mr Kejriwal,
a former anti-corruption campaigner who took office less than a month ago, has
faced savage criticism for the two-day sit-in protest.
"Equally
dangerous is the rise of hypocrisy in public life. Those who seek the trust of
voters must promise only what is possible. Government isn't a charity
shop," Mr Mukherjee said.
If Indians
are enraged, it is because they are witnessing corruption and waste of national
resources. If governments do not remove these flaws, voters will remove
governments.
President
Pranab Mukherjee
"Populist
anarchy can't be a substitute for governance. False promises lead to
disillusionment, which gives birth to rage, and that rage has one legitimate
target: those in power.
"Those
in politics should understand that every election comes with a warning sign:
perform or perish."
Mr Kejriwal
is looking to take advantage of a wave of popularity among the poor and middle
class at the upcoming elections.
But he has
lately come under fire for what his critics say is a failure to make the
transition from successful street protestor to administrator as chief minister.
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