PM, Shah: We will be back in power with 300 plus seats

New Delhi: It was a “press conference” that wasn’t. The first ever “press conference” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past five years was a complete disappointment for the scribes on Friday as it turned out to be a brief monologue in which he asserted that the BJP will come back to power with absolute majority.

Calling himself a “disciplined soldier of the party” and describing it as officially the press conference of BJP president Amit Shah, who was sitting besides him, Mr Modi tactfully directed queries to the party president.

Mr Modi reiterated that the BJP-led NDA government will come to power with “absolute majority for the second consecutive time” and that the entire campaigning remained “shaandaar (amazing)” and elections were held with a “sakaratmark bhaav (positive spirit)”.

“A government with full majority will come back after remaining in power for five year. This is probably happening after a very long time. This is a big deal in itself,” the Prime Minister said.

He said his entire campaign, which began on March 28, was basically a “dhanyawaad abhiyan (thank you campaign)” for the people for their blessings and to seek support again to continue the work started by his government.

In all, the Prime Minister addressed 142 election rallies, held four roadshows, travelled more than one lakh kilometres during the campaign. Similarly, Mr Shah addressed 161 rallies, held 18 roadshows and travelled more than 1.5 lakh kilometres. With campaigning coming to an end, Mr Modi will visit Kedarnath and Badrinath on May 18 and 19.

Earlier, Mr Modi reached the party headquarters for the press conference straight from his last campaign rally at Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone where he gave the slogan, “Ab ki bar, 300 paar. Phir ek bar Modi sarkar (This time, NDA will cross the 300 seat mark and the Modi government will return to power). Much before Mr Modi’s “press conference” started, the party headquarters was abuzz with speculation over Mr Modi addressing the media.

First to react on Mr Modi’s “press conference” was Congress president Rahul Gandhi who took a jibe saying, “Congratulations Modi Ji. Excellent Press Conference! Showing up is half the battle. Next time Mr Shah may even allow you to answer a couple of questions. Well done.”

Joining him was AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi who tweeted, “Nice presser. It’d have been better if you actually took questions, instead of just sitting there. You were all about that deedaar but not about answering questions… But sure, everyone has to start somewhere.”

Mr Modi has been repeatedly criticised by Mr Gandhi and other Opposition leaders for not addressing a single press conference since he took the top job.

Mr Modi told mediapersons that the public has decided on the next government. “We have promised many things in our manifesto to take the country forward. As soon as possible, the new government will take charge and we will take decisions one after another,” he said.

“India is the world’s largest democracy and India should impress the world with its diversity and democracy,” he said.

Pointing out how in 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls, IPL matches were held outside the country, Mr Modi said under the current government Navratri, Ram Navami, Easter, Ramzan, IPL, board exams as well as elections could take place simultaneously and smoothly.

The Prime Minister said the journey for his honest government started on May 17, 2014, a day after Lok Sabha election results were announced.

“Election results came on May 16, 2014, and a huge casualty took place on May 17, 2014. Today is also May 17. People in ‘Satta bazaar’ who bet on the Congress to win in elections faced huge losses on May 17,” he added.

He then diverted questions to Mr Shah saying, “We are disciplined soldiers of the party. The party president is everything for us.”

In the press conference, Mr Shah answered all questions and asserted that the BJP will come back with a bigger majority.

“ The BJP will have enough seats to form a government on its own. We will get more than 300 seats. This election is to choose the country’s Prime Minister. Narendra Modi will be the PM,” said Mr Shah, adding that it was the first time that the Opposition parties could not find inflation and corruption allegations against the government.

He said the voters have themselves given the slogan , “Baar Baar, Modi Sarkaar.”

Mr Modi also addressed party workers and leaders later, and thanked them for their hardwork throughout the campaign.

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