With 95-minute interview, PM Modi sets tone for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known as a go-getter, who works with set goals and clear targets. On Day 1 of 2019, the Prime Minister set tone for the battle of Lok Sabah Elections and said that it would be ‘janta’ vs ‘gathbandhan’. In an interview to news agency ANI, PM Modi rejected ‘Modi vs everybody’ narrative and said that it was public that will decide the course of events. He not only rejected the idea of ‘Grand Alliance’ but also termed the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi as ‘forces of corruption.’ In his 95-minute interview, the Prime Minister tackled questions on issues ranging from Ram Mandir to Rafale deal.

Interview | PM Modi says surgical strikes a 'big risk', warns Pakistan; reveals why Urjit Patel resigned

Talking on Ram Mandir, he turned down the idea of ordinance and said that let the Supreme Court decide and then his government would take required steps. This is seen by many as PM Modi opting for soft-Hindutva approach. Reacting to pm Modi’s remark, NDA ally Shiv Sena said that it is good that the Prime Minister has made his stand clear on the contentious issue. But the argument didn’t go down well with the RSS, which has been aggressively demanding the construction of Ram temple in UP’s Ayodhya.

What’s interesting is the fact that the Prime Minister has also hinted towards allying with new partners in Lok Sabha elections. On new partnerships, the Prime Minister said that new allies will ‘Continuously join. After 2014, small parties have joined’. When asked about BSP chief Mayawati joining the NDA, he said that, ‘I don’t think any sensible person will spell out such things on TV, who will join, who cannot. But the public knows it all.’ 

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PM Modi Modi turned emotional while talking about the surgical strikes. The prime minister revealed he was getting live information about the mission and was keeping a close tab on the risky operation throughout the night. "I knew it was a big risk. I never care about any political risk to me. The biggest consideration for me was the safety of our soldiers," PM Modi said adding that he didn’t want any harm to the commandos who were "willing to sacrifice their lives on our word."