Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the proposed Grand Alliance being stitched together by the Opposition parties was contrary to the hopes and aspirations of the people of the country. In a wide-ranging interview to news agency ANI, also his first this year, Modi also took on the Congress leadership including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, saying that the “first family” was out on bail in cases related to financial irregularities. The PM said that it was a serious issue but those in the service of the family were trying to suppress this information. Touching upon the recent losses in five states, the PM said that elections were a small facet of the country, but admitted that the losses had been accounted for within the party and corrective measures were being taken.
On the contentious issue of the Ram temple, which has seen the RSS, as well as Hindu groups, put pressure on the government to pave way for early construction, the PM ruled out bringing an ordinance and said that the government would take no such measure till the matter is in court.
While responding to a question on dialogue with Pakistan, PM Modi said that we have never opposed dialogue with Pakistan, whether it was the UPA government or our NDA govt. He said, "It is the consistent policy of the country, not Modi government or Manmohan Singh government."
While talking about AgustaWestland Chopper Deal accused Christian Michel, PM said that it is worrying if a Congress worker turns up to be Christian Michel’s lawyer. He said that the people should be proud that a 'razdaar' has come and that there will legal inquiry in the case and eventually the truth will be out. "Instead of that, you are sending lawyers from your party to support Michel," he said.
PM Narendra Modi said that in 2014 we adhered to the coalition dharma, even though we got full majority. He added that during decision making there is a consensus when we run the government. "Our allies wish to grow & we too want them to grow. We do not want that we should grow at cost of allies," he said.
The Prime Minister today said the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 will be fought on who takes forward the aspirations of the people and who stands against it. Taking a dig at the opposition's efforts to stitch together an alliance against him, the PM said that the people were watching everything. "Earlier corruption was decentralised, those in states were looting the states and those at the Centre were looting at the Centre. Now, it is getting centralised, those who were in states are now coming together to loot the Centre also. 2019 elections will be people vs the grand alliance. Modi is just a manifestation of the people's love and blessings."
While responding to a question about Middle class people said we will have to change our thinking. He said that the 'middle class never lives on someone’s mercy.' He added that the middle class people are living with dignity and they make immense contribution towards running the country.
There has been a concerted effort by governments for the past 70 years to delay a resolution in the Ayodhya matter, PM Modi said. "I appeal to my lawyer friends from Congress to stop trying to delay the matter in court and seek an early settlement." The PM cited the government's ordinance on triple talaq to say that it was also brought once the legal process had been completed in court. "We brought the ordinance once the Supreme Court order had come," the PM said, adding that the BJP is for Ram Temple construction but not outside the ambit of the Constitution. "One the legal process concludes, we are ready to take all measures required in this direction."
PM Modi while responding to a question on why he called Rahul Gandhi's loan waiver statement 'lollipop,' said that "To say a lie and mislead, that is what I called lollipop." He said that the truth is that "nothing like that has happened."
Prime Minister Modi while responding to a question on Congress chief Rahul Gandhi calling GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax' said that people talk in the way that the think. 'Have GST processes not been done taking a consensus with all political parties in the country?,' questioned PM. While talking about the thinking behind GST, PM said that the process of GST has been going on since Pranab Mukherjee was the Finance Minister.
While responding to a question about former RBI chief Urjit Patel's resignation, PM Narendra Modi said that for the past 6-7 months befor his resignation, he was saying that he wanted to quit. PM Modi that Patel resigned due to personal reasons. He gave his resignation in writing and there was no political pressure, he said.
All avenues available to the government are being put to use in order to bring back those defaulters who fled the country, the Prime Minister has said. Speaking to ANI, PM Modi said that diplomatic channels, legal recourse and seizure of properties are being carried out by the government. "Those who have stolen money from India will have to compensate each penny," Modi said.
Responding to a question on the government's inability to bring back fugitive economic offenders like Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, PM Modi said that the government was making use of all laws, both domestic and international, to bring back those who have swindled the nation's money and fled. "We have brought laws to deal with economic offenders, including confiscating their properties. Those who fled before our government came to power will be brought back. Those who fled during our rule will also be brought back today or tomorrow and made to face the law," he said.
PM Modi while talking about BJP's loss in 5 states recently said that in the state of Telangana and Mizoram, the party was not given a chance. In the state of Chhattisgarh, PM said that it was a clear mandate and the party lost. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, "there was a hung assembly."
The Prime Minister said that when he speaks of Congress-mukt Bharat, he means freedom from the culture of dynasty and corruption that Congress has followed for years. "BJP is not a party run by a dynasty," he said attacking the Congress.
The Prime Minister said that there is a set of persons who talked of the non-existence of a Modi factor or a Modi wave and the same set of people are now building a narrative that the Modi factor or Modi wave is fading. "At least now they concede that a Modi factor exists." The PM said that he believes that there can only be a wave of people's hopes and aspirations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about how 2018 was a successful year and not a failure. He said that the, "Elections are just one facet of a number of facets." PM further talked about Ayushman Bharat Yojna and said that if the poor was given insurance of upto Rs 5 Lakh, it was because of this scheme. He also said that when such a large number of people today are receiving treatment today because of this, then "how can I consider this a failure?," he said.
Elections a small facet of India. In Telangana and Mizoram, we never expected to form governments in these states. Of the three states (MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh), two states delivered hung verdicts. Chhattisgarh a loss and the party is strategising and working towards it.
In his interview to news agency ANI, PM Modi slammed the Congress and said some lawyers affiliated to the party were responsible for delays in hearing on the crucial matter. The PM also said that the government will not go ahead and bring an ordinance to facilitate the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya till the legal process was underway. He, however, clarified that the government was ready to take measures once the due legal process concludes.
The Prime Minister today launched a direct attack at the Congress leadership and said that those considered the first family were out on bail for financial irregularities. "It is a big thing," he said, adding that it was a fact that people with vested interests at the disposal were trying to suppress through the use of alternate narratives.
Prime Minister Modi said that Pakistan will take time to change its ways. Responding to a question on the impact of the surgical strikes carried out at terror installations in PoK, PM Modi said that it would be foolish to assume that one war can change Pakistan. "To believe that Pakistan will change its ways after one war will be a big mistake."
While talking about the introduction of Demonetization in November 2016, Prime Minister Modi said that this was no 'jhatka.' He said, 'We had warned people a year before, that if you have such wealth (black money), you can deposit it, pay penalties and you will be helped out. However, they thought Modi too would behave like others so very few came forward voluntarily.'
The Prime Minister today ruled out the possibility of the government bringing an ordinance for the construction of the Ram Temple till the legal process is underway. He also said that the legal process was getting delayed in Supreme Court as the Congress lawyers were creating obstacles. The PM also reiterated that the BJP manifesto clearly states that the government will work to find a solution under the ambit of the Constitution.
PM Narendra Modi while talking about RBI chief Urjit Patel's resignation said, "He himself requested(to resign)on personal reasons. I am revealing for the first time, he was telling me about it for past 6-7 months before his resignation. He gave it even in writing. No question of political pressure. He did a good job as RBI Governor."
The Prime Minister said that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be about people versus the grand alliance. Lashing out at the proposed grand alliance of opposition parties, the Prime Minister said that Modi is just a manifestation of public love and blessings. "2019 elections will be about Janta (people) versus gathbandhan (alliance."
PM Modi's interview also comes at a time when the government finds itself on the backfoot in the Rajya Sabha over the passage of the Triple Talaq bill, where the numbers are stacked against it. The Prime Minister publicly announced on 24 December that the government would implement a law to ban instant Triple Talaq, or the practice of instant oral divorce by some Muslims. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 was passed by the Lok Sabha two days later on 27 December. However, the government has found it tough to manage the numbers in the Upper House with the opposition putting up a united front to stonewall the passage of the bill.
Also read| Triple Talaq Bill: Numbers do not add up for PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to be interviewed for the first time in 2019 today. Stay tuned to for updates.