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Interview of Narendra Modi at Zee News
MUMBAI: Claiming to know the pulse of the nation, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi took the fight to the enemy camp saying that the foundation for a new government had already been laid.
He said recent statements by Congress leadership in regard to support likely to a Third Front meant that the party had accepted defeat. “When elections were announced there was talk of a hung Parliament. Now there is talk of support to non NDA government. I am not myself saying anything. Congress statements themselves show that the mother-son government is on the way out and the foundation for a new government has been laid.”
Commenting on the idea behind the popular BJP’s slogan “Acche din aane wale hain”, Modi said, “While inaugurating Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan PM Manmohan Singh assured good days will come despite gloomy economic scenario. Next day I had a meeting there where I narrated PM’s slogan and the entire hall burst into laughter. The message was clear.”
Maintaining his attack on Congress, he said, “Look at all bad things in this country and they all add up to define Congress today. That is why all miss-governance gets identified with Congress. There is negativity all round.”
Modi, however, sounded optimistic for May 16. “The moment results come out on May 16 we will move out of negativity. The country will take 125 core steps forward. 2014 is an election of hope. Aspiration yields positive energy which leads to growth of the country.”
Refusing to be drawn further on the issue of ever growing personal attacks, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate said, “We are committed to the slogan of good governance and development. People have liked our pitch.” To substantiate his view, he cited an earlier instance of good governance. “In 2001 the massive earthquake had devastated Gujarat and within a short span of time the state got back on the development track.”
However, in response to another question, on heightened attacks on him and BJP by Mamata Banerjee and other regional leaders, he sounded aggressive in his response. “Six phases of polling have already taken place. The mood of the nation is known to everyone. That is why the heightened attack. They have nothing to offer of their own. Their objective is to aim to dislodge him.”
On how he faced up to the Gandhi troika, he said, “It is not just the Gandhi family. All UPA allies are up against me. It is Modi versus the rest. The irony is that instead of evaluating the performance of their government, they are all auditing Gujarat model.”
Modi reiterated that his brand of politics revolved purely on development. “I am not in favour of vote bank politics. I am not for communal and caste politics. I oppose them.”
Citing his own humble background to buttress the point, he said, “Is it a sin to be poor in this country? I come from a poor background but I have never used poverty as a political ploy. I am here today having sold tea in train compartments.” He categorically denied he was in race for power but reiterated his commitment to work towards building a modern India.
In response to another question on whether he had raised far too many expectations, he said he was no dream seller but had a sense of the pulse of the people of this country. “There has to be a commitment to governance and that is my promise. I have not made any tall claims.” Citing what these steps would be, he quoted the example of sanitation. “Small steps will make a difference to shed all round negativity. There are no toilets for women in most part of India. This has to change.”
Modi said he was like any other citizen and lived life like a commoner. “I am not a robot. I am a common man. I think and act like a common man. I have a commitment to the common man. But I have my own limitations like any other human being.”
Evading question on Baba Ramdev’s measures to improve the economy, Modi said, “My expert team will decide about the economic decision. Don’t bring Baba Ramdev in such things”. Was he readying his team ahead of his party’s claim of NDA coming to power, Modi said, “My current KRA is to fight and win the election. I am not thinking of anything else.”
On stock market rally ahead of elections, he said there had been a needless controversy. Without getting into directly attacking the finance minister, he said, “It is for investing community to respond to as to why it mentions my name and not that of the Prime Minister and finance minister.”
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
