PM Narendra Modi – Republic Bharat interview: The interview is being aired from 8 am today and Modi is in conversation with news anchor Arnab Goswami. (File)Prime Minister Narendra Modi Republic Bharat Interview: Prime Minister Modi said this year, the polls will personality-driven. “After 5 years of being in power, it is usual for the people to make the election campaigns synonymous with a personality and I’ve been constantly among the masses,” he said in an interview given to Republic Bharat on Thursday. Modi, who began his 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign on Thursday, has given an interview — his first this poll season — to news channel Republic Bharat.
“Nobody can doubt the love for my country,” said PM Modi, adding People questioning Balakot air strike are foolish. “I was awake and in constant touch with jawans during Balakot air strike,” he explained.
In the past five years, Modi has not had a single press conference, and has given handful interviews to news channels and dailies. In his last interview, Modi told ANI editor Smita Prakash in January that the upcoming elections would be a faceoff between the ‘junta and the gathbandhan’. Following the interview, he was at the receiving end of mixed responses from political leaders, with Opposition front runner Rahul Gandhi alleging it was a ‘staged interview’.
PM Modi to Republic Bharat: Pakistan assured us they will take action, but we have hardly seen anything happen from their end
Regarding PM Khan trying to contact PM Modi, he says, "Pakistan has constantly tried to assure that they will take action, but we hardly see anything happening from their end. So I've stopped responding to their assurances. Regarding the 26/11 attacks, we had given them a detailed dossier, but there was no response again. When PM Khan was elected, I congratulated him and I've taken steps for cordial talks but where is the action? It's good that PM Khan is doing good things for his citizens, but what is necessary right now is for Pakistan to come out of terrorism."
PM Modi takes a swipe at the Opposition
PM Modi attacks Opposition and says, "We can debate on the gas connections provided, house built and bank accounts opened with the Opposition. When I speak on progress, they change the topic and pick other issues. We are the government that works 24 hours and these are issues that matter to us but they keep talking about the same thing over and over again. It is unfortunate that when Abhinandan Varthaman was detained in Pakistan, the Opposition started questioning the Balakot air strike and regarding his return. It was their plan and they were going to bring out a 'candle light march' for it."
I was awake throughout and in constant touch with the jawans during Balakot air strike, shares Prime Minister
PM Modi to Republic Bharat: On Balakot air strike, Modi says, "It is my behaviour, where there is a risk to the jawans of India, I'm constantly involved it. There is no expectation from their end, but I could not sleep and I was aware of what was happening." Regarding the Opposition's 'personal attack' and saying the Pulwama attack, as well as Balakot air strikes, was 'match fixing' between PM Khan and PM Modi, he says: "No one can question my patriotism for my country. Everyone was aware of how big the attack was, but you should question the Opposition regarding such personal attacks. If they are sure of what they are blaming us for, they can go ahead with this as their agenda for the polls."
We are successful because of the trust Indians place in us: PM Modi
PM Modi to Republic Bharat: "Whatever we have been able to successfully execute in the past 5 years, it is because of the trust Indians place in us. We came into power with a sweeping majority, which shows the consent of the people and as of what I understand of politics, people have understood what Modi can do for them, what are the changes our government can bring in, how BJP can help the country progress. There are some spheres where India feels we lack, but we are sure that Indians won't let us down."
PM Modi to Republic Bharat:Voter is at the centre of the election
Voter is at the centre of the election. Political parties have to go to the polls only to meet the expectations of voters, says Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi when asked "How's the Josh for election campaign" by Arnab Goswami.
PM Modi to Republic Bharat: Mission Shakti was not a pre-planned move, we announced it when test was successful
On Mission Shakti, he said, "India has made its mark in the superspace league with Mission Shakti." When asked why this announcement comes right before the polls, Modi says, "It was not a pre-planned move, we announced it when the test was successful and it has taken immense effort over many years."
PM Modi to Republic Bharat: PM Modi to talk on policies, Balakot air strike and other issues
On being asked if this year's polls would be "Personality -driven polls", PM Modi said, "After 5 years of being in power, it is usual for the people to make the election campaigns synonymous with a personality and I've been constantly among the masses. "
What should we expect from PM's interview today?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his previous interviews has spoken on issues ranging from the Ram Janmabhoomi case to demonetisation and the latest Balakot air strike. He has come down severely on the Opposition in his interviews and slammed the Opposition's mahagatbandhan on various occasions. He began his election campaigning from Meerut for the Lok Sabha elections on Thursday and will actively address rallies in different parts of the country in the days to come. The Prime Minister in a sudden interaction on Wednesday also announced the launch of Mission Shakti, the test of anti-satellite missile by bringing down one of its satellites in the low earth orbit.
Welcome to our LIVE blog
Welcome to our LIVE blog on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview to Republic Bharat, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. We will bring you all the updates from the interaction which airs at 8 am today. Stay tuned!