Modi accuses Opposition of spreading lies on electoral bonds scheme
STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Opposition of spreading lies about the electoral bonds scheme and said “everyone will regret when there is an honest reflection” that the country has been pushed towards “black money” in the elections. He also said the scheme should be viewed a success story as it has allowed the trail to show who had made contributions to political parties.
In an interview to news agency ANI, PM Modi spoke of his “2047 vision” and stated: “I have big plans…kissi ko darne ki zaroorat nahin hai (there is no need for anybody to be scared). My decisions are not made to scare anyone or to diminish anyone. They are made for the overall development of the country.” He was responding to a question regarding his pre-poll campaigns which have him saying, “This is just a trailer, lot more work is pending for 2047.”
He also spoke about the speed and scale of development in the last 10 years of BJP-led government. “We had to tackle two years of Covid-19 pandemic. In all parameters, our model is working better in comparison with the Congress model,” he added, in conversation with ANI’s Smita Prakash.
‘2047 vision’
“2047 marks 100 years of independence. It is an inspiration in itself and an opportunity to move towards development with renewed enthusiasm,” the PM said when asked about his frequent reference to the “2047 vision.”
‘Modi ki guarantee’
When asked about the purpose of using ‘Modi ki guarantee’ across poll rallies, he said: “Every candidate is important in the upcoming elections. But ‘Modi ki guarantee’ is about ownership and taking responsibility. If you see other political leaders’ speeches, there is no accountability.”
“Lately, I heard a politician say “Ek jhatke mein garibi hata dunga”. Those who got a chance to be in power for 5-6 decades, when they say this, the country thinks ‘what is this man saying?'” he added.
In the interview with ANI, the Prime Minister said that the Congress and its allies had used the Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue like a political weapon. Commenting on leaders from political parties not coming for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said, “The invite to the consecration ceremony was rejected to appease vote banks.”
‘We (BJP) can’t play at that level’
When asked about the lack of a “level playing field” and the alleged influence over law enforcement agencies, the PM said: “Out of these, not a single law ( regarding the ED, CBI filing cases) was brought by my government, on the contrary, Election Commission reforms were brought by our government… We at least have members from the opposition in the commissions. Earlier, those close to the ‘family’ were made Election Commissioners who later got Rajya Sabha seats and ministries…We (BJP) can’t play at that level.”
‘Regional aspirations should be given maximum attention’
Stating that the regional aspirations should be given the maximum attention, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he would never want a state to face obstacles in its path to progress, and will instead look forward to help the state achieve its target. He also stressed that, along with cooperation, healthy competition should also exist between the states to take the country forward.
“Secondly, when I was in Gujarat, even then I had a mantra. The government here (Centre) was of UPA. Even then I had a mantra, for the development of India, Gujarat should be developed. I will develop Gujarat. Why? Because I want to develop my country. There should be an environment in our country,” he further added.
PM Modi on Elon Musk’s India plans
“I want investment to come in India because in India, it doesn’t matter who has invested money, (but) the sweat put into the work must be of our own people. The product should have the essence of our soil, so that our youth in the country will get employment opportunities,” PM Modi said, to a question on Elon Musk’s Tesla and Starlink’s possible entry into India.
During the interview, the Prime Minister was asked about Elon Musk publicly saying that the latter was a fan of Modi. To that, he responded by saying that Musk is a supporter of India.
For ‘honest, middle-class taxpayers’ in Modi 3.0
“The first time voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections will be the biggest beneficiary of 2047. I am urging them to join me as I work for their future,” PM Modi said, as a message to the “honest, middle-class taxpayers” on what’s in it for them in Modi 3.0.
He highlighted that the number of ITRs being filed doubled over the last 10 years during BJP’s rule. “Today over 8 crore people file ITRs, this has doubled in the last 10 years because they have the trust that their money is being used in the right places,” he said.
‘Vote for the country’: Modi signs off
Ending with a message ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls starting April 19, the PM urged people to go out and cast their votes “for the country.” “Vote for your future over the next 25 years,” he added.