PM Modi Interview: Exuding confidence on forming a government for a third consecutive term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had no doubt that the people "will choose correctly again" in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. In an interview with Moneycontrol, PM Modi said time and experience were his biggest teachers.
"In 2014, nobody knew Modi and yet they voted me in with such a huge mandate. Ten years on, they've seen a little bit of Modi everywhere -- in the Chandrayaan Mission, in my recent visit to the US. Now that they know me well, I have no doubt that the people will choose correctly again," the Prime Minister said.
The NDA faces a stern test in the 2024 general elections, with 26 Opposition parties uniting to form a joint front (I.N.D.I.A alliance) to take on the Modi juggernaut.
Recently, a study by Pew Research Center revealed that 79 per cent Indians had a favorable view of PM Modi, including 55 per cent who hold a "very favorable" view.
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PM Modi On 'Revdi' Culture
In a dig at Opposition parties offering 'revdi' or freebies in poll-bound states, PM Modi said there was a need to be alert against "financially irresponsible policies".
"The long-term implications of such policies destroy not only the economy but also society. The poor pay a heavy price. Yet again, the good thing is that people are becoming increasingly aware of the problem," PM Modi said.
Govt Trusted By People: PM Modi On Becoming Fifth-Largest Economy
With India becoming the fifth-largest economy and on track to become the world's third largest economy, PM Modi said the feat was achieved because the government was trusted by the people.
"It is a privilege and honour for us that the people have placed unprecedented trust in us. They gave us a majority mandate not just once, but twice. The first mandate was about promises. The second, even bigger mandate, was about both performance and the future plan we had for the country," PM Modi told Moneycontrol.
"Due to this political stability, every other sector could see deep structural reforms -- economy, education, social empowerment, welfare delivery, infrastructure," the Prime Minister further said.
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Apart from economic growth, PM Modi also stressed on having a strong banking system.
"When I took over in 2014, many world leaders told me it was difficult to do business with India because our banking system could not be trusted," PM Modi told Moneycontrol.
"Today, we have one of the strongest banking systems in the world. Our central bank RBI is seen with gravitas and respect at global platforms," the PM further said.
PM Modi On Covid Managaement
Speaking on his experience while handling the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Modi said there was immense pressure on him to print more notes and inject more stimulus into the economy like developed countries.
"I didn't do it. I knew I was taking a big political risk, but I diverted the money into Covid management. That's the reason price rise is not so much of a concern in India today as it is in the rest of the world," Modi said.