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MUMBAI: In an exclusive interview with Narendra Modi, Sreenivasan
Jain of NDTV 24x7 draws out the controversial chief minister of
Gujarat. Narendra Modi talks bluntly about being removed from the
Parliamentary Board, on the Gujarat riots as well as on the so-called
rehabilitation centers set up across Gujarat.
Watch the show ‘Modi-fied’ with Modi on Wednesday, March
14, at 9:30 pm.
Narendra Modi adroitly side-steps the oft-repeated question as
to why he doesn’t mention the Gujarat riots as a 'crisis' that
took place in the last five years of his tenure. He said, "[The
Gujarat riot] came before my government came to power. I was elected
in December 2002. So think again which government you are talking
about. You have made your point over and over again in the last
five years. In return, I have been silent. You have spoken openly,
and I have borne it with an open heart…”
On being asked if the riots wreaking havoc in the rest of India
have been repercussions of the Gujarat riots, Modi turned the blame-game
around and retorted, “So NDTV appreciates the revenge theory?
I want to know how responsible media like NDTV gives credence to
the revenge theory.” On prodding further, he added that by
“accepting the revenge theory, you [Sreenivasan Jain] validate
the revenge.”
Talks steered around his referring to General Pervez Mussharaf
as Miyan Mussharaf in the past. On being asked whether or not he
considered this politically incorrect, Modi replied candidly, “I
raised my voice against Musharraf for a reason. India is a free
country. But no one has the right to say whatever they want about
us. The day Musharraf used the UN platform to speak against Gujarat,
I started speaking about him. When he stopped, I stopped. I have
the right to raise my voice against foreign powers critical of India
… If somebody abuses my country, I will reply in the same tone.”
When questioned about how he felt about his removal from the Parliamentary
board without prior notice in spite of having done so much for the
Gujarat Government, Modi maintained a diplomatic stance. “I
am concentrating on Gujarat's progress. All the issues I discuss
are for the benefit of Gujarat …I am only concentrating on
the development and progress on Gujarat, its 1,600 km coastline...”
On the much talked about rehabilitation centers allegedly dotting
Gujarat, Modi brushed it aside. Mr. Modi brushed this news aside
with his reply “There is a judiciary. There are NGOs. There
is so much money. Why don't you get them to court? You are free
to do that. I am only interested in the development of Gujarat and
its people. I will continue to do that. You can continue to pursue
your own agendas.”
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