Denies sending emissary to Geelani, says will reach out to all, Muslim brothers included
Breaking his silence on the controversial remarks of his party man Giriraj Singh and VHP leader Pravin Togadia, the BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi said such statements deviated focus of the campaign from the real issue of development and asserted he would reach out to Muslim “brothers” like any other citizen of the country.
“Nobody can support Giriraj Singh’s statement,” Modi said in an interview to ABP News. “After the victory of 2002, I went to thank the electorate of Maninanagar (in Gujarat). There, I said ‘this Government is of those who have elected it. This Government is also of those who voted against it and this Government is also of those who did not go to vote’.”
Earlier, in an apparent reference to Togadia, Modi tweeted: “Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP’s well-wishers are deviating the focus of the campaign from the issues of development and good governance.”
Stressing that the contentious issues of Ram temple and Uniform Civil Code would be addressed within the Constitutional framework, Modi underscored in the interview that he saw all Indians as one and it was his “responsibility” to reach out to all sections of society, which includes Muslims.
“As Chief Minister of Gujarat, I have tried to connect with six crore people of the State as much as possible. Now I have been entrusted with the national responsibility. I will use all efforts at my command to reach out to 125 crore people. This is part of my responsibility and I must do it.
“It may mean walking 100 steps. I may walk three steps, five steps or seven steps, that is a different matter. But it is my responsibility that I must make demonstrative efforts to reach out to every citizen of the country,” he said.Asked specifically whether his effort to reach out to every citizen included Muslims, Modi replied: “I will never go by this terminology of yours. Even if you drag me, I will not. I will meet my countrymen. I understand only one language that they are my countrymen, they are my brothers. You may see whatever colour you want, Modi will not go into that colour.”
He went on to add: “Even if I lose elections, let it be so, I have no problem. But the country has been destroyed by this language, the mindset of you people and I will never own that mindset. And you please stop such attacks on my freedom.”Modi slams petty remarks of BJP’s ‘well-wishers’
On whether he would implement the BJP’s agenda on the Ram temple and Union Civil Code issue, considering his feisty image, Modi said: “The country does not run by tez tarrari (feistiness) but by the Constitution. Feistiness is for elections but not for running the country.”
He was also asked whether his work as Prime Minister would have an “RSS imprint” since he had been groomed by it.
“let me tell you, I have to run the Government. A Government runs according to the Constitution. I believe that a Government has only one religion — India first. A Government has only one holy book — our Constitution. A Government has only one kind of devotion -- towards the nation. A Government has only one style of functioning — ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ (cooperation with all, development for all).
Talking about the 2002 riots, the Gujarat Chief Minister said he had “stood the test” and was “ready for any test” but would “never surrender before lies and political motives.”He said: “...Till 2007, I have spoken a lot on this issue. Whether you like it or not, I will not succumb to you (on the issue).”Attacking the UPA Government, he said it “dragged” him to the Supreme Court on the issue and “now I should not speak as the SC could be influenced.”
“Till now, no CM has been grilled by policemen for nine hours. It was done on the orders of the Supreme Court. The SC has seen the video of that recording. I have stood that test and even in future, I am ready for any test,” he added.
Asked about different voices in the BJP over action against Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra in connection with alleged inappropriate land deals, Modi made it clear that he would focus on development rather than such issues which will be dealt with by the law as deemed fit.
“We get elected for five years and for five years should be roam around with this mess or do some good workIJ My personal belief is that my energy should not go into this. My energy should be utilised for positive and good work. Otherwise, five years is very less time. If we get entangled in this, what good work can we do,” he said.
Citing his “track record” as Chief Minister he said it “shows that I have never opened any file against anybody. I believe that one gets entangled in such things and cannot do good work. I have only focused on positive initiative. I do not even keep information about old cases. It is for the Government, let them do it.”
At the same time, he said: “Nobody is above the law. Imagine if there are allegations against Modi and he is the Prime Minister. Should the case not be pursued just because he has become the PM. It should not be so that it should be stopped. I am not above the law.”
On the controversy over the marriage section in his affidavit and whether he expected it, he said: “I do not get surprised by anything. There is nothing in my life. They (rivals) have no issue so they will continue to do it.”Modi denied sending any emissary to meet Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and said he was surprised over media reports in this regard.
“I am surprised. Where did it come fromIJ I do not even know their names. Now it seems it has been clarified by the persons concerned that they were not my representatives,” he said on ABP News.When asked if he would adopt a “tough” policy vis a vis Pakistan if he became the Prime Minister as he has been accusing the UPA Government of being weak, Modi said: “We want to run the country in a manner that nobody dares to threaten us. We will also not threaten anybody. The world cannot run by threats or by cowing down to threats. Dialogue should be on equal terms. In international affairs, you can command respect only through his approach.”
Asked whether he would go to the US if he became the Prime Minister since he has not been given a visa so far, Modi described it as a “loaded question” and said “the mandate will be for working for the country.”
When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s accusation that his Government in Gujarat is being run by Adani and Ambani and that the same would be replicated at the Centre, he termed it as a “political allegation” and said “the 14 years of my track record as Chief Minister will speak.”
He said that earlier, “brokers” would roam about in the corridors of the Secretariat but “now no broker is able to go there. Now people can say that there is one Government which cannot be suppressed or bought.”