Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday responded to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s jibe that the BJP government at the centre will expire on June 4.
In an interview with NDTV, Modi said that Banerjee was telling the truth and that the term of this government would end then anyway. He further added that he and the BJP would form a new government at the Centre after the elections. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections.
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“She is speaking the truth. This government has to end on June 4, then a new government has to be formed, right?” Modi told NDTV in an interview. “It is constitutional that the term of the government has to end; there is nothing political in it. After the elections, a new government will be formed and we will form it.”
On being remarked that Banerjee would then set a “new expiry date”, the prime minister told NDTV: “Arre aisa hai ki main avinashi hoon ji, main Kashi ka hoon, Kashi to avinashi hai (I am indestructible. I am from Kashi. Kashi is indestructible).”
In the interview broadcast on Friday, the prime minister also said that he does not regard the Opposition as his enemies.
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He added that he wishes to work collaboratively with Opposition leaders and take them along.
“I never challenge and I want to take them along. I do not underestimate anyone. They have formed the government for 60-70 years. I want to learn the good things that they did. I do not consider the Opposition as the enemy,” Modi told NDTV.
The prime minister further told the television channel that he was open to receiving constructive criticism and advice from experienced leaders in the Opposition.
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“If they have anyone experienced who wants to advise me then I welcome it. They can say whatever they want to the media – good or bad, but if they have anything to offer for the country’s good then I welcome them. I don’t wish any ill upon anyone,” PM Modi said.
“I want to get rid of ‘old mentality’. I cannot use traditions and laws that were made in the 18th century to build India’s future in the 21st century. I want to make a change by reform, perform and transform,” he told the news channel.
