We don’t need populism... people have seen scale and speed at which we deliver: PM Modi

His government’s performance over 10 years will be the decisive factor in Verdict 2024, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is cruising to a third consecutive term despite not doling out populist measures in the interim budget because the country has seen true progress and development and is voting on the basis of the difference in their lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, accusing the Opposition of introducing divisive agenda into the poll campaign.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PMO Photo)

In an exclusive interview with R Sukumar, Shishir Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury, Modi dismissed the possibility of

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Modi’s comments come at a particularly intense point in the campaign.

Over the past two weeks, the PM has upped his aggression on the campaign trail, first accusing the Congress of trying to siphon away reservations meant for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes, to give them to Muslims, then alleging the opposition party wanted to redistribute wealth to Muslims, pointing to a 2006 speech by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the first right over the country’s resources should go to the minorities. To be sure, the Congress has said that the BJP is misrepresenting Singh’s remark, and that the PM had spoken of the need to empower the marginalised, including the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes and Muslims.

“If the Congress party’s agenda is to take away the reservation of SC, ST and OBCs, and give it to their vote banks unconstitutionally, on the basis of religion, then it will have to be questioned. In such a situation, being silent would be incorrect. It is the Congress party that is bringing religion and divisive issues agendas into the picture,” he said.

“The people of these communities are raising questions about their dangerous agenda and as a party that represents the people’s aspirations, we will also reflect their concerns. These are important questions that need to be answered by the Congress,” he added.

The campaign has also been roiled by mass sexual assault and rape allegations against Janata Dal Secular leader Prajwal Revanna. Modi referred to that controversy in his interview.

“I firmly believe that every Indian citizen is equal in the eyes of the law. Be it Sandeshkhali or Karnataka, whoever committed such heinous acts, whether they belong to any party, must face severe consequences, must face the strictest punishment. And it’s the duty of the state government to ensure law and order, whichever part of India it is,” he said, also pointing to allegations of land grab, exploitation and sexual abuse against local Trinamool Congress leaders in West Bengal. In recent weeks, reports have emerged that two women have recanted their complaints, blaming local BJP leaders of manipulating their statements.

He rejected allegations that the BJP was not running a positive campaign.

“If you observe our party’s manifesto or the speeches of our leaders, it is clear that we are the only party speaking about creating a developed India, about a net-zero future, about becoming the third largest economy, etc,” he said.

Modi appeared confident of doing well in southern India, a region where the BJP has struggled to find a footing outside Karnataka.

“Our connection with the people of south India, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is not new. We’ve dedicated ourselves to serving the people there, regardless of whether we are in government or not… People are tired of the corruption, appeasement, and family-first politics of the INDI Alliance seen in various southern states,” he said.

“I see a strong sense of positivity and enthusiasm for the BJP. Our message of development and progress is resonating strongly with the people of south India,” he added.