“The day you say Modi is ‘satisfied’, you can say you are paying homage to him”

Outlining what keeps him going and how he wards off complacency, Prime Ministrer Narendra Modi said that he does not allow himself to feel “satisfied” and keeps engaged with tasks that require attention and which will keep him occupied for some time to come.

In an interview after the first phase of polling to Asianet News Network, the Prime Minister said “The day you say Modi is satisfied, then please write that it is time to pay homage (“Shrandhanjali) to Modi, he is not alive. I keep nurturing being dissatisfied. I do this to feel inspired to do more. I have a lot to do.”

In a wide-ranging interview, the Prime Minister touched on aspects of his government’s functioning, the issues in various states, charges that agencies were being used for political vendetta. “The agencies like ED and CBI should be allowed to do what they are meant to do. The number of politically connected cases they are investigating are only 3% of the total,” he said.  ‘If we want to remove corruption from the country, then we should allow the institutions to work for which they have been created,” he said.

Modi said voters in Kerala have realised that neither UDF or LDF can cater to their needs. He criticised the exploitation of cooperative banks and the misuse of funds.  “‘Left is losing ground in Kerala; people are realizing that they were being cheated,” he said. The Prime Minister denied that BJP did not have the support of the Christian communities, pointing out its government in Goa and those in the north-east had the support of voters from the community. “The Christian community is fed up with the lies of LDF-UDF; they complain that the duo are causing disputes between churches,” he said, adding that he had invited the Pope to visit India.

Looking to the 2024 elections, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence based on his extensive experience and the government’s accomplishments in fostering global recognition and stability. He emphasized the evolving electoral landscape marked by unprecedented public support and stressed the importance of informed voting decisions.

Regarding diplomatic achievements, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s enhanced relations with Middle Eastern countries, emphasizing significant advancements in trade, technology, and agricultural partnerships. He recounted successful interventions to safeguard Indian citizens abroad and foster closer ties with Gulf nations.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated his commitment to dismantling VIP culture, citing personal examples of eschewing privileges and advocating for inclusive policies.

Prime Minister Modi also addressed concerns about divisive rhetoric, urging unity and cohesion. He cautioned against inflammatory language and emphasized the importance of upholding national integrity.

2024 ElectionsCBIdevelopmentEnforcement DirectorateinterviewNarendra Modi