Babasaheb’s Constitution made me; my welfare lies in its welfare: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (May 19) spoke to news agency PTI on a wide range of subjects, ranging from the BJP’s view of Muslims to his assessment of the party’s chances in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Here are some key quotes from the interview:

1. BJP has never been against minorities

The BJP has never been against minorities — not only today but never.

We want to take everyone along with us. We are not ready to accept anyone as special citizens but consider everyone as equal.

2. More seats from South and East

All assessments of the past phases of the election show that the NDA is in pole position and the Congress, along with its INDIA bloc, is struggling to even open its account in some states.

The blessings of the people will take us to a record-breaking mandate. We will get more seats from all parts of the country, particularly from the South and the East. The NDA is on course to achieve 400 seats.

3. “Red corridor” will become “saffron corridor”

In 2019, BJP was the single largest party in the South. This time too, we will be the single largest party in Southern India and by an even bigger margin than the last time. We have seen a jump in mind-share already. We will see a big jump in seat share and vote share for us across the region.

I have always said that Eastern India has great potential to be the biggest growth engine, but it has been most neglected by Congress-led governments of the Centre as well as the parties that have been governing the states of the region… The so-called “red corridor” will become a “saffron corridor” in these elections.

4. Babasaheb’s Constitution made Modi

Modi has been made by Babasaheb’s Constitution and derives power from it. Without the Constitution, a person of my socioeconomic background could have never made it this far. So, even if you assume I act out of self-interest, my own welfare lies in the welfare of the Constitution.

5. Reservation removal claims absurd

It is laughable and absurd to claim that we would do anything about the SC, ST and OBC reservations.

6. Restoration of statehood for J&K is a promise

What the elections in Jammu and Kashmir have done in 2024 is to put a seal of explicit democratic approval to our historic decision.

We want to create a Jammu and Kashmir where violence is history, prosperity is destiny. This is our long-term strategy for Kashmir.

The restoration of statehood is a solemn promise we have made and we stand by it. We are working very hard to create the right conditions so that it can be done expeditiously.

7. Our battle against corruption is serious

None other than the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, admitted that if (Gautam) Adani and (Mukesh) Ambani sent tempo-loads of money, he would not speak against them.

In my tenure, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been attached. The battle against corruption is a serious one. We must allow our agencies to do their work without interference.

8. Pakistan becoming part of campaign narrative

Politicians from Pakistan are entering the electoral discourse of India by endorsing the Congress party’s Shahzada. Perhaps the Congress thinks orchestrating such endorsements will serve it well. That is how disconnected they are from ground realities.

9. Odisha deserves better

It is our commitment that the next chief minister of Odisha, from the BJP, will be a son of the soil. The people of Odisha deserve a better alternative after having given more than two decades to the BJD.

10. Brand Modi works because…

Brand Modi works because there is no conscious effort to build this brand.

11. Added 25 more days to 100-day agenda

If you have observed me and my working style, you would know that this is not the first time that I have entered the election fray with the vision for the first 100 days of the new government… And now, I have added 25 more days in this plan, where I would take the suggestions of India’s Yuva Shakti.

As far as One Nation, One Election or Uniform Civil Code are concerned, these are parts of our manifesto, and you would appreciate that we do fulfil our manifesto promises.

12. Our track record best in creating opportunities for youth

Our track record in creating more and more opportunities for our youth as compared to previous governments has been the best. That is because we worked with a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to bring the best opportunities the world has to offer at India’s doorstep.

13. Why Chabahar port deal is significant

It is our endeavour to provide connectivity, especially to the countries that are landlocked. I have always found a deep interest among the leaders of Central Asian countries to use this port for getting access to sea and connect with India.

India will work to ensure that our efforts promote regional connectivity, trade and commerce, including to and from the landlocked Afghanistan and the Central Asian region.

14. What keeps him going? Blessings

I think it is the blessings of the people that keep me going… Being among people who are God personified is nothing short of a divine experience for me, and that is why I feel this inexplicable energy from within that pushes me to work even harder.

(With PTI inputs)