PM Modi addresses first-ever press conference, takes no questions
On the last day of campaigning for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi addressed his first-ever press conference since coming to power five years ago in 2014. He was accompanied by BJP President Amit Shah who hosted the press conference at the party's headquarters in Delhi. However, PM Modi took no questions from the journalists. Here are the highlights.
Need the people's blessings to move forward: PM Modi
Addressing the media, PM Modi said, "After a very long time in this country will a party in full majority come back with an even stronger mandate." "For me, the elections were about expressing gratitude to the people of India. I have said thanks wherever I went. The journey we had started, we need the people's blessings to move forward with it," he said.
Will try to fulfil promises at the earliest: PM Modi
"Public has decided to give this opportunity to form the government. We will try to fulfill promises made in our manifesto at the earliest. Our specialty has been last mile delivery. This is the new culture of governance," said PM Modi.
Going to form government with an overwhelming majority: Shah
Shah addressed the press conference asserting that BJP would come back to power and is confident that it would win with an even bigger majority. "Happy to say this time too, we are going to form another Narendra Modi government with an overwhelming majority. When we got a historic mandate in 2014, we undertook what we called the 'Narendra Modi Experiment'," he said.
Diverting questions, PM says 'discipline has to be followed'
Diverting questions to Shah, PM Modi said that the press conference is being addressed by the BJP President and in the party's system, "discipline has to be followed." He added, "We are disciplined soldiers of the party."
Shah on violence in West Bengal and Mamata Banerjee's allegations
Meanwhile, Shah responded to a question on violence in West Bengal and refuted CM Mamata Banerjee's allegations that BJP is spreading violence. He said, "What proof does West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has to say that the BJP is spreading violence across the country. Several of our workers have been killed this time. How can she say that?"
On BJP leaders' Godse remarks and Pragya Thakur's candidature
Shah also talked about the remarks favoring Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse by three BJP leaders, including Bhopal candidate Pragya Thakur. He said a notice has been issued to them and their views have nothing to with BJP's. However, on Malegaon blast-accused Pragya's candidature, Shah said the terror case against her is false and leveling allegations against a person doesn't make them an "accused".
Satyagraha against a fake case of saffron terror: Shah
At the press conference, Shah also said that Pragya's candidature from Bhopal is a protest against a fake case of "saffron" terror. The BJP President said, "Pragya Thakur's candidature is a 'Satyagraha' against a fake case of fake bhagwa (saffron) terror."
