Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in an extensive dialogue with CEO & Editor-in-Chief of AMG Media Network, Sanjay Pugalia, during an exclusive interview, where they explored a plethora of subjects.
Touching upon issues spanning development, infrastructure, governance, and the stock market, the conversation delved into diverse facets.
With the impending election results looming, PM Modi took a moment to reflect on the achievements and hurdles faced by his government over the last decade, while also delineating his vision for India's future.
Responding to an accusation from the opposition, PM Modi vehemently refuted the claim that the BJP harbors intentions to amend the Constitution if NDA crosses the 400-seat threshold in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
He expressed to Sanjay Pugalia, "Those who have repeatedly disrespected the Constitution are now parading with it on their heads," referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's symbolic gestures with the Constitution during his rallies.
The Prime Minister asserted that his government has had the backing of 400 MPs since the 2019 election results, dismissing the notion of linking 400 seats with any constitutional amendments as "foolishness."
“Linking 400 seats and the Constitution is stupidity. The issue is they don’t want the House to function,” he said.
PM Modi criticized the principal opposition party, Congress, questioning their allegiance to the Constitution.
He highlighted instances from history, such as the presidency of Purushottam Das Tandon in 1950, where Jawaharlal Nehru's refusal to accept Tandon's presidency led to the removal of the elected national president, suggesting undue influence by the Gandhi family within the party.
“I ask what happened to the Congress’ Constitution. Does this (Gandhi) family accept Congress’ Constitution? (Purushottam Das) Tandon became Congress president (in 1950) as per the Constitution. But (Jawaharlal) Nehruji did not accept this. Nehruji did drama, he said he would not be part of the working committee. Eventually, the Congress had to remove its elected national president to make this family happy,” PM Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister also referenced the 1998 incident where former Congress president Sitaram Kesri was allegedly sidelined to facilitate Sonia Gandhi's unopposed elevation as party chief.
“He was locked in the bathroom, thrown out overnight and Soniaji became Congress president. I want to know when the Congress functionaries of today became the party’s members. They must declare to the country. Do they have the right to talk about the Constitution?” the Prime Minister questioned.
He questioned the credibility of those who claim to uphold the Constitution while engaging in actions contrary to its spirit, citing instances like Rahul Gandhi's vehement opposition to the UPA government's ordinance aimed at overturning a rule disqualifying convicted MPs and MLAs.
“All the drawings were from India’s heritage, from Ramayana to Mahabharata to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Pandit Nehru dumped this. The Constitution published later, he had removed them,” he said.
“In the first amendment to the Constitution, Pandit Nehru snipped the freedom of expression. This was the first blow to the soul of the Constitution. Then they (Congress) attacked the thought behind the Constitution. By misusing Article 356, they toppled governments a hundred times. They brought Emergency, put the Constitution into the dustbin. First Nehru ji committed this sin, then Indira ji and then Rajiv ji came. Rajiv ji was bringing a law to control the media, he threw away the Supreme Court’s Shah Bano judgment and amended the Constitution for vote bank politics,” he said.
“These people are talking about the Constitution,” he said.
Furthermore, PM Modi targeted Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Prasad over his conviction in a fodder scam case, questioning the moral authority of those convicted of such crimes.
“Those jailed for stealing fodder and are out on health grounds are talking about the Constitution,” he said.
“Those who shattered the spirit of the Constitution… they tore the draft of the Women’s Reservation Bill inside Parliament. Those who severely insulted the Constitution are now dancing with the Constitution on their heads. They are lying,” the Prime Minister said.In essence, PM Modi emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution's values and criticized those who engage in actions contradictory to its principles.
