Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his first television interview after he returned to power in 2019. The interview came on the eve of the first phase of 2022 UP elections 2022 as well as the imminent elections in four other states-Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. PM Modi spoke on a wide range of crucial issues including Farm Laws withdrawal, dynastic politics, corruption, politically-important UP elections and his speeches in both the houses of Parliament. Here is a concise list of top 10 quotes from PM Modi's interview:
1. On dynasty politics
“When a party is run for generations by a family, there's only dynasty, not dynamics. Starting from J&K, where there're two parties run by two separate families, you can see similar trend in Haryana, Jharkhand,UP &TN. Dynastic politics is biggest enemy of democracy.”
“If somebody calls this socialism, I accept it. When I talk of fake socialism, it's about dynasty. Can you see Lohia ji's, George Fernandes', Nitish Kumar's families? They are socialists.”
2. Farm laws and farmers income-
“I have come to win the hearts of farmers, and did so. I understand the pain of small farmers. I have said this earlier also that farm laws were brought in for the benefit of farmers, but have now been withdrawn in the interest of the nation. I don't think this needs to be explained anymore. Future events will make it clear why these steps were necessary,”
“BJP opines the government has no business to do business. Its job is to think about food for the poor, make houses and toilets for them, get them clean drinking water, make health facilities available to them, make roads, to think about the small farmers. This is my priority.”
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3. On Lakhimpur Kheri incident and Ferozepur security breach-
“I have maintained silence on the issue. Supreme Court is looking into the matter seriously. Any statement that I make in this regard will impact the investigation, and it is not right” (Ferozepur incident)
“State government gave its consent for whatever committee the Supreme Court wanted to form, for whichever judge SC wanted for probe. State government is working transparently.” (Lakhimpur Kheri)
3. UP Elections:
“When people discuss security in UP, they think of their troubles during previous governments, mafia raj, gunda raj, the manner in which musclemen had a status and shelter in government. UP saw this from close quarters, women couldn't step out… Today women say that they can step out even after dark. This trust is essential for security. There was a time in UP when goons could do anything they wanted, today they surrender. Yogi ji prioritised security and didn't compromise with it.”
“The BJP has itself experienced that it was accepted in 2014, then the people saw our government's work, and we again got elected in 2017, and similarly in 2019 as well. Now in 2022, they will again see our work and again accept us.”
4. On corruption in India-
“Corruption in India is affecting the country like termites. Haven't people raised their voices against such people from time to time? If I do not do anything, will the people forgive me? Where ever the government gets information (about corruption) should it not take steps? And after this, if billions and trillions of rupees are coming to the treasury of the country, then I should be praised… If there are elections in between, what can they do? They follow their timetable. Whenever they get information, they follow it up. The government does not have any role in it.
5. On his government’s performance-
“Govt has no business to do business. Its job is to think about food for the poor, make houses & toilets for them, get them clean drinking water, make health facilities available to them, make roads, to think about the small farmers. This is my priority. If somebody calls this socialism, I accept it.”
6. On UP’s law and order situation under CM Yogi Adityanath-
“When people discuss security in UP, they think of their troubles during previous govts, mafia raj, gunda raj, the manner in which musclemen had a status and shelter in govt. UP saw this from close quarters, women couldn't step out… Today women say that they can step out even after dark. This trust is essential for security. There was a time in UP when goons could do anything they wanted, today they surrender. Yogi ji prioritised security & didn't compromise with it.”
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7. On Akhilesh Yadav-led alliance and opposition politics-
“We saw game of 'two boys' earlier too. They had such arrogance that they used the words 'Gujarat ke do gadhe'. UP taught them a lesson. Another time there were 'two boys' & a 'bua ji' with them. Still, it didn't work out for them.”
“We believe - for country's progress we have to address regional aspirations. I was a CM too, and understand states' aspirations. Earlier, leaders coming to India used to visit only Delhi, but I took them to different states.”
8. On his party’s mantra for the upcoming elections-
“I have seen in all states that there is the inclination towards the BJP, and we will win the elections with a full majority. The people of all these five states will give BJP the opportunity to serve them.”
“When we are in power, then with great energy and on a large scale we work with the mantra 'Sabka Saath, Saabka Vikas' (with everyone's participation, we ensure the development of all).”
“The BJP has itself experienced that it was accepted in 2014, then the people saw our government's work, and we again got elected in 2017, and similarly in 2019 as well. Now in 2022, they will again see our work and again accept us.”
9. On PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s mention in his Parliament speech and Rahul Gandhi:
“Didn't speak against anyone's father/grandfather...I said what a former PM had said...It's the right of the nation (to know). They say we don't mention Nehru ji. If we do, then too there's difficulty.Don't understand this fear.”
“How do I reply to person (Rahul) who does not listen, skips Parliament?”
10. On India’s image as investment destination:
“You can see in FDI and FII inflows as well as the response to our PLI scheme.”
