May 20th 2024.
Bhubaneswar: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down for an exclusive interview with PTI where he spoke about a range of topics, from his views on minorities to his assessment of the BJP's chances in the ongoing elections. He also shared his thoughts on issues like Kashmir, unemployment, and the development of Eastern India. Here are some key quotes from the interview:
MINORITIES
The BJP has always believed in the idea of inclusivity and has never discriminated against minorities. We believe in taking everyone along with us and do not view any group as special citizens. For us, everyone is equal.
ASSESSMENT OF BJP'S CHANCES
As we head into the final phases of the election, all assessments indicate that the NDA is in a strong position. The Congress, along with its INDI alliance, is struggling to even open its account in some states. The people's support and blessings will lead us towards a record-breaking mandate. We are confident of securing more seats from all corners of the country, especially from the south and the east. In fact, the NDA is on track to achieve a historic 400 seats.
BJP'S SOUTHERN PUSH AND EXPANSION OF EASTERN FOOTPRINT
Contrary to popular belief, the BJP was the single largest party in the South during the 2019 elections. And this time too, we will emerge as the largest party in Southern India, with an even bigger margin than before. We have already seen an increase in mind-share and are confident of gaining more seats and votes in the region. As for Eastern India, I have always maintained that it has immense potential to become the biggest growth engine of our country. Unfortunately, it has been neglected by previous governments, both at the Centre and in the states. But we are determined to change that and turn the so-called 'red corridor' into a 'saffron corridor' in these elections.
CONSTITUTION
I am a firm believer in Babasaheb's Constitution and derive my power from it. Without this Constitution, someone like me, with my socio-economic background, would have never been able to reach this position. So, even if some people assume that my actions are self-serving, the truth is that my own welfare is intricately linked to the welfare of this Constitution.
RESERVATIONS
It is absolutely absurd to suggest that we would do anything to harm the SC, ST, and OBC reservations. These are constitutional rights and we are committed to upholding them.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
The recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir have not only given us a resounding democratic mandate but have also provided a seal of approval to our historic decision. Our vision for the region is to create a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, free from violence. We are working towards this long-term goal and are also committed to restoring statehood for the region. We are making every effort to create the right conditions for this to happen as soon as possible.
NAMING AMBANI, ADANI IN SPEECH
During a recent speech, I had made a point about how certain politicians seem to be influenced by the interests of big corporations. This was validated by the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, who admitted that he would not speak against Adani-Ambani even if they offered him large sums of money. This only goes to show how disconnected the Congress is from the ground realities of our country. In fact, during my tenure, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been attached in our fight against corruption. We must allow our agencies to do their work without any interference.
PAKISTAN BECOMING PART OF CAMPAIGN NARRATIVE
It is concerning to see politicians from Pakistan entering the electoral discourse of our country by endorsing the Congress party's leader. This shows how out of touch the Congress is with the sentiments of our people. We must focus on our own country's development rather than inviting interference from outside forces.
BJD AND NAVEEN PATNAIK
Our commitment to the people of Odisha is that the next Chief Minister from the BJP will be a son of the soil. After more than two decades of being governed by the BJD, the people of Odisha deserve a better alternative.
BRAND MODI
The popularity of 'Brand Modi' is not something that has been consciously built. It is a result of the trust and support of the people of our country.
100-DAY AGENDA
I have always believed in setting a clear vision for the first 100 days of a new government. And this time, I have extended this plan by 25 more days, during which I will seek suggestions from our nation's youth. Our manifesto promises, including the 'One Nation, One Election' and 'Uniform Civil Code', will be fulfilled.
UNEMPLOYMENT
We have a strong track record of creating opportunities for our youth, which is evident in the fact that we have outperformed previous governments in this regard. We have adopted a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to bring the best opportunities to our country.
CHABAHAR PORT DEAL
We are committed to promoting connectivity, especially for landlocked countries. The leaders of Central Asian countries have shown a keen interest in using the Chabahar Port to access the sea and connect with India. We will continue to work towards promoting regional connectivity and trade, including with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING
It is the blessings of the people that give me the energy and motivation to keep working tirelessly. Being among the people is a divine experience for me and I am grateful for their continuous support.
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