PM Clears The Air Around Many Issues In His First Interview Of 2019

New Delhi: In an interview to ANI on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened up on a host of issues including demonetisation, the surgical strike across LOC and Ram Temple, issues which had engaged the public discourse for long.

The PM remained evasive when asked if he would contest from Puri in the coming Lok Sabha polls, he said, “Media persons also should get some work.”

On demonetisation: It was not a sudden decision. Note ban was necessary to clean the system. It wasn’t a jhatka. We had warned people a year before that if you have such wealth (black money), you can deposit it, pay penalties and you will be helped out. However, they thought Modi too would behave like others so very few came forward voluntarily.

Surgical strikes: The surgical strikes were planned because there was a “rage” building up within him (the PM) as well as the Army in the aftermath of soldiers being burnt alive in the Uri attack. “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 the soldiers who were willing to sacrifice their lives on our word,” the Prime Minister said, adding that he monitored the risky operation through the night.

Mob lynching: I condemn mob lynching. No instance of violence is acceptable to us. Even one incident is condemnable.

On farm loan waiver: These are political stunts. They don’t help. If waiving loans can solve the farmers’ problem, then it should be done. History has shown that waivers don’t help farmers. When governments make such announcements (of loan waivers), those farmers (who take loans from money lenders) do not become beneficiaries of the waivers. The farmers who are dying are out of the purview of such schemes. There is a small segment of farmers who take loans from banks. A majority of them take loans from money lenders

Ordinance on Ram Temple after legal process is over: “Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts,” Modi said. The Ram Temple issue is in the BJP manifesto and the party will try to find a solution under the ambit of the Constitution.

On Urjit Patel: He wanted to resign six months ago. He himself requested (to resign) on personal reasons. I am revealing for the first time that he was telling me about it for the past six-seven months before his resignation. He even gave it in writing. There was no question of political pressure. He did a good job as RBI Governor.

On opposition’s Mahagathbandhan: All those who looted India are coming together. It is going to be ‘Janta’ versus ‘Gathbandhan’ in 2019 elections. Modi is just a manifestation of public love and blessings. The people of India are seeing how leaders who want to loot are closing ranks and forming alliances. In 2019, the people of India will set the agenda. They know who is with their aspirations and who is not.