Prime Minister Narendra Modi on New Year's day spoke on several important people and political issues including Rafale deal, surgical strikes, demonetisation, triple talaq and Goods and Services Tax in an interview with news agency ANI.
He also spoke on BJP's loss in assembly elections in five states in the recently concluded assembly elections. "In Telangana and Mizoram, nobody gave BJP any chance. In Chhattisgarh, a clear mandate was given, BJP lost. But in two states, there was a hung assembly. Secondly, we were fighting against 15 years of anti-incumbency.We are discussing what was lacking," PM Modi said
Taking a jibe at the opposition, PM Modi said that 2019 elections will be "grand alliance versus the people". PM Modi also spoke on the Ram Temple issue ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on January 4. "Ordinance on Ram temple can be considered after legal process gets over," he told ANI.
Here are the highlights of the PM Modi's interview on New Year's Day
When political leadership tasks the Military for an operation it keeps three things in mind A)What is the Military objective operation would achieve B) what are the the short/medium term strategic objectives that would be met C)Would it send the intended message to the adversary https://t.co/HNU0B2V40M
- Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) January 1, 2019
Modi's claim that Demonetisation has eliminated black money is preposterous. Modi facilitated black money hoarders to whitewash illegal cash holdings. People who ought to have been penalised were rewarded at the expense of destroying livelihoods of crores of Indians.
- Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) January 1, 2019
- First, tell us Modi-ji, have we got 15 lakhs in bank accounts or not.
- 80-lakh-crore black money to be returned in first 100 days - where is that?
- Where are 9 crore jobs he promised in these years at 2 crore jobs per year?
- What happened to the cost+50% price you promised to farmers?
- What happened to the idea of simplifying business with a good tax?
- Why compromise with national security?
- And what about ending corruption? For everyday to the Rafale scam? Why are you avoiding a JPC probe?
- And finally, is Ganga clean now?
- How many smart cities out of 100 have you built?
- What happened to Start Up India, Stand Up, Skill India and Make in India? You don't even talk about that now.
- Why are fuel prices so high despite global crude prices?
The people of India are seeing how leaders who want to loot are closing ranks and forming alliances.
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 1, 2019
2019 is going to be about the people of India versus an Opposition alliance: PM @narendramodi
PM Modi suggested that "Make In India" was also being politicised. "My crime is that I am trying for Make In India, I am trying to shut down the middlemen," he said.
For them, my crime is I am working on @makeinindia for being self sufficient in defence.
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 1, 2019
My crime is that I am focussing on whatever defence forces need.
I do not care about their abuses, I will do my work and strengthen the armed forces.
I am working with honesty: PM
On Rafale, I have spoken in Parliament and in various public meetings. The Indian Supreme Court has given their views and the French President has also spoken: PM Modi
PM Modi disclosed the details of surgical strike operation in an interview with news agency ANI today saying "the safety of the army personnel was paramount for him". He also insisted it was wrong to politicise the issue and stressed that it was important to hail army's valour. Read what PM Modi said on surgical strikes here.
On the surgical strikes, there are some political parties who began to speak the same language as Pakistan.
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 1, 2019
These parties were demeaning our armed forces. They politicised such an issue.
As the PM, I will always appreciate the armed forces: PM @narendramodi
"The first test of the alliance was in Telangana and we have seen what has happened to the alliance. What happened to the alliance in Tripura, Assam. Everybody can see. Their top leaders can close ranks but the people will never connect with this": PM Modi
Amid disruptions over Triple talaq bill in Parliament, PM Modi clarified it is "not a religion issue". "This is about gender justice. Several Islamic nations have banned it," he said.
The Ordinance on Triple Talaq came in the light of a verdict by the SC. It did not come before that.
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 1, 2019
For years, why was there no determined effort to end Triple Talaq: PM @narendramodi
"It will be a huge mistake to think that Pakistan will change after one surgical strike," PM Modi told ANI. The neighboring country will take time to mend ways.
I assure BJP Karyakartas that we will not tolerate political violence.
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 1, 2019
Karyakartas of no party must be harmed.
There is no place for violence in India: PM @narendramodi
