Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recent interview said he misses having a "strong opposition" and it "pains his heart".


In an interview to CNN-News18, PM Modi said a strong opposition is very important in a democracy and keeps the government on the sword's edge and on its toes.


Without mentioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi said he has not got a strong opposition in the last ten years as Prime Minister. 


“In a democracy, it is very important that there is a strong opposition, which keeps the government on the sword’s edge and on its toes, such an opposition is very necessary... I thought that in 2014 to 2024 that I should have got a strong opposition, if there is one thing missing in my life, it is that of a good opposition,” PM Modi said in the interview in response to a question about the perception that there is no strong opposition against him.


Modi said he did not get any positive contribution from the Congress and added that the opposition had been in no way of any use to him. 


“They had run the government for 60 years, so I thought I would ask them for advice on their way out so that I would get help. Till Pranab Mukherjee was there, I benefitted from him as he used to share his experience. But I got no benefit from the opposition. I gained only from my party colleagues and from my experience as Gujarat CM,” the prime minister said.


“They were so full of negativity that decisions in country’s interest were opposed by them for political benefit though they were once in their manifestos. This is a big concern. In a big democracy like India, there should be a strong opposition, an aware opposition, an active opposition, well-read and well-informed, this benefits all," he added.


PM Modi also mentioned how he had been abused by his opponents for over two decades, but he never lost his patience and calm. 


“The Khan Market gang and some in the media were always after me. I never lost my patience and calm. Now they have to put my smiling face on the cover. I perform my responsibility,” the Prime Minister said.


The Prime Minister also said that the Lok Sabha elections are being fought by the people of the country who have made up their mind to elect a strong, stable and decisive government.


When asked if his popularity was at its peak, the PM said, “I don’t work for popularity and I don’t have any criteria to measure my popularity. One should analyse what I do and what others did earlier.”