With merely two days remaining for the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Modi gave an interview to News24 continuing his spree of interviews since elections began. In his interview, he condemned Sadhvi Pragya’s remarks on Godse and Gandhi in the strongest of terms.
Narendra Modi was also asked about Rahul Gandhi’s comments on his ‘Bhrastachari No. 1‘ remark for Rajiv Gandhi. The Congress President had said that he will never drag the Prime Minister’s own parents into politics even though Modi may not award him the same courtesy.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRHghX9axmI]
Modi heavily criticized the Congress President for his remark and said he doesn’t need to be shown any mercy. He appeared quite angered by Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and addressed him directly for the first time.
He said, “Normally, I never address him by name but let me do it today. Shriman Rahul Gandhi ji, you have the experience of 5 generations in public life, your family has occupied the highest positions in the country, therefore, I am not doubting your wisdom. I am requesting you today to not show any mercy towards my parents. If my parents have ever done anything wrong, in personal, social or public life, whatever information you have on the matter, come out in public with the matter.” He further said that he will personally request the Election Commission to allow Rahul Gandhi to present the information on his parents’ conduct even if the time for campaigning is over.
“Abuse my parents, speak against me, do it on the basis of the evidence you have. I do not want it to happen that my parents have done something wrong and others show them mercy. By using the word mercy, you are hurting my integrity and my sanskar. If you believe giving birth to me is their biggest crime, then you can do whatever you want with me,” he added.
Narendra Modi also asserted that he has every right to criticize Rajiv Gandhi as he is a former Prime Minister. “I have no right to criticize your parents nor does anyone else have. And that is how it should be. However, people have the right to criticize former Prime Ministers, the RajParivar and those who live in public life. The same applies to me as well.”
He further stated, “If there are Rambhakts today, then there are people who debate Ram’s legacy proudly. People still debate Shri Krishna’s legacy and people who do so are respected. You may not understand Sanskrit, Rahul ji, but in our country, there was this person who before Marxist ideology spoke in that manner. He used to say, “Spend money, eat Ghee. Who cares about what happens after we die? Even to him, we gave the title of Rishi. This is the greatness of our country. If Ram can be criticized, then so can be Modi even decades after my tenure has ended.”
