NDA will get more seats in 2019: Modi
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Terming the opposition grand alliance as a "failed idea", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the the BJP-led NDA will definitely get more seats in the next Lok Sabha polls than it got in 2014 and break all records.
In an interview with the Times of India published on Sunday, Modi said people wanted a strong and decisive government and his campaign will focus on "development, fast development and development for all".
"We will definitely get more seats than we got the last time and I am confident we will break all records of the seats won by NDA in the past and achieve greater glory," he said. "The people are with us and we have nothing to fear."
On the opposition's planned "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance), Modi said India's status has improved globally since he took power.
"After 30 years, a performing, strong and stable government is in power at the Centre. People have bitter experience of coalition governments burdened by politics of compulsions.
"I have faith (electorate) will not compromise its vote for a disparate group that has nothing more to offer than a single ideology (if we may even call it so) - to remove Modi," he said.
The Prime Minister said "a non-ideological alliance of desperate and disparate groups is not mahagathbandhan but political adventurism.
"It is a failed idea that has never succeeded. History tells us such adventurism failed in 1979, 1990 and in 1996. People want a strong and decisive government."
Asked about some unease in the ruling BJP-led alliance, Modi said the recent election of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman - by an NDA candidate despite not having a majority - will put the apprehensions of sceptics to rest.
Modi took dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for hugging him during the Parliament no-confidence motion and called him a 'naamdar' (one with famous family name).
"‘Naamdars' have their own rules. They decide when to hate, where to hate and how to hate. They also decide when to show affection, where to show affection and how to show affection. We are ‘kaamdars'; we have no such privilege," Modi said.
Modi said the government's way of working was not to make policy keeping elections in view.
"I have a vision for the country till 2022 that's in public domain. All policies and actions are aimed at achieving that vision."
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
