Lok Sabha elections 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dismissed opposition parties' concerns that India is moving towards an autocracy. In an interview with The Times of India, he also made a joke about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him 'Yuvraj' and said the opposition's actions are an example of a scorched earth policy.
“This is an example of the scorched earth policy. As the opposition fails to seize power, they start vilifying India on the world stage. They spread nonsense about our people, our democracy and our institutions. India will not become an electoral autocracy if the Yuvraj cannot automatically come to power,” Modi said.
'India not impressed by Rahul Gandhi'
Adding that the country is not impressed with Gandhi, the Prime Minister said, “The fact that he has to fight the elections and the people of India are not impressed with him does not make India less democratic.”
He added that such accusations find little support abroad as foreign leaders often recognize the authenticity of India's democratic practices, according to the report.
'I don't think there are many people in foreign capitals who would accept such charges. They are often more in line with reality than the 'certificate shops' in their country. When I talk to world leaders, I see genuine admiration for our democratic process. and our institutions when they dive deep into the scale and speed of our electoral process, they are impressed by our efficiency,” Modi said.
“As the opposition is unable to gain power, they are starting to defame India on the world stage. They spread nonsense about our people, our democracy and our institutions. India will not become an electoral autocracy if the Yuvraj cannot automatically come to power,” Modi said. said in the interview.
Another India Shining moment?
Modi also responded to Gandhi's criticism over the BJP's prospects in the upcoming elections. Rahul Gandhi had likened the current situation to the 'India Shining' moment of 2004, suggesting a possible shock defeat for the BJP.
“Unlike in 2004, when the BJP pushed away allies, this time the party has attracted new allies. Congress party's Yuvraj should be the last person to talk about hubris,” Modi said.
“Every election is based on contemporary issues and therefore it is not correct to compare them. In 2024, we not only have new allies, but we also have unprecedented popular support, giving us confidence for a spectacular victory. This time, several myths will be broken in the South. Our market share has already increased and you will see that our vote share and seat share will also increase tremendously,” he added.
He further said that it will take “a miracle for them (Cong) to win the elections” as senior party leaders have “abandoned and conceded” the elections.
'EVMs credible, opposition wants to gain ground'
Modi also alleged that the opposition to EVMs is because they want to “drag the nation” towards capturing booths, the report said.
“Our Supreme Court has put a good end to this issue. The SC judgment speaks in detail about the importance of EVMs and the transparency they bring. The opposition always wants to drag the nation into the era of booth capture, which is only possible through paper ballots,” he said.
“I don't think the INDI Alliance members have ever worried about logic and reason when it comes to EVMs. For them, EVMs have always been the convenient scapegoat after defeat. Let's see if it will be different this time. The opposition often claims that there is a threat to democracy and also that the country is moving towards an 'electoral autocracy',” Modi added.
He also alleged that allegations of using the ED and CBI to harass political opponents are “excuses” as opposition leaders are leaving “in hordes”.
“…no ongoing investigation has been closed simply because the person concerned has joined a particular party. Corruption is a serious problem, and we are dealing with it seriously,” he added.
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Published: Apr 29, 2024 09:27 AM IST