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PM Modi addresses his first press conference, leaves questions for BJP chief Amit Shah

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7 years ago

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PM Modi addresses his first press conference, leaves questions for BJP chief Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his first press conference in his five-year tenure today (Friday, May 17) on the last day of campaign for the final phase of ongoing Lok Sabha election on Sunday.

PM Modi has been repeatedly criticised by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders for not addressing a single press conference since he took the top job. But during his campaign for this national election, the Prime Minister gave a series of interviews, capping it with his first press conference right before the end of Lok Sabha polls.

In a surprise move, Modi showed up on the dais for a scheduled press conference by BJP president Amit Shah, who gave a detailed report card of the campaigning as well as performance of the NDA government. Modi told reporters that he will not take any questions because the press conference is being addressed by Shah, and in BJP’s system, discipline has to be followed.

“We are disciplined soldiers of the party,” Modi said.

This, again invited criticism. Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a dig at him: “‏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!”

Another jibe on Modi’s refusal to answer questions came from fake news buster Pratik Sinha who tweeted “Modiji got confused between press conference and mann ki baat.”

Modi basically confined the briefing to what he had to say. Addressing journalists after Shah, Modi exuded confidence that the BJP will return to power with a bigger mandate.

“The people of the country have decided that our government will be formed. I hope that the new government will start functioning at the earliest,” PM Modi said.

“It will happen after a long time in the country, our Government will come to power with absolute majority for second consecutive time,” he said.

“The election campaign was a success. In the last two elections, even the IPL couldn’t be held. When the government is strong, IPL, Ramzaan, school exams and others tend to take place peacefully,” PM Modi told reporters.

“Elections have been amazing (shandar). There will be a government with a full majority. During campaigning, I told the people of the country ‘I am thanking you’ for your support,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi also said that the start of an honest government began on May 17, 2014, a day after the Lok Sabha election results were announced. “We ensured last-mile delivery which was a new structure of governance,” he said.

Also Read: ‘Abki Baar 300 Paar’: PM Modi in MP’s Khargone rally

Modi, however, did not take any questions from journalists.

Speaking earlier, BJP chief Amit Shah, too, said, “We will come back with a much bigger majority.” Shah also lauded party workers over their efforts in the poll campaign. He said, “Today is the end of a long and successful campaign for the BJP. From BJP’s point of view, this election campaign has been the one in which we have put in a lot of hard work, and also most extensive since independence.”

Amit Shah said that when results will be announced on May 23, “the BJP is confident that we will win more than 300 seats”.

“Our government has enhanced the respect of the country. Modi government has established India as a world power,” said Shah.

Speaking further on the performance of Modi government, Shah said: “This is the first election where there was no issue of inflation and corruption. After a long time the people of the country have seen such an election in which these issues are missing.”

“Every section of the country — poor, peasant, women, village, city — has been reached by our government with 133 schemes. Based on 133 plans, there is a new consciousness in the country,” he added. “We have raised the level of life of 5 crore poor. By giving them basic amenities, they have realized that they have a stake in the development of the country,” he said.

He spoke of how BJP’s base has expanded in the country, saying, “We have achieved success in almost all the elections. We had six State governments in 2014, we have governments in 16 States today.”

As the question round began, PM Modi, to the very first question addressed to him, said: “I am a disciplined soldier, party president is everything for me.”

Amit Shah, to another question, said, “I have answered your question. It is not necessary for the PM to answer every question.”

On Opposition’s allegations that both Modi and Shah were responsible for lowering the political discourse during the campaigning, the BJP president said “what else do you expect from the opposition,” but BJP has never initiated low quality debate.

Amit Shah said the press conference was organised to give the party’s view on the completion of campaigning for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Speaking about the campaign Amit Shah said slogans like ‘fir ek baar Modi sarkar’ and ‘main bhi chowkidar’ were not given by the BJP leadership but by the “common BJP volunteers”.

Responding to a query on violence in West Bengal, Shah said, “What proof does West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has to say that the BJP is spreading violence across the country. Several of our workers have been killed this time. How can she say that?”

On comments for Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse made by BJP leaders, including Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Amit Shah said, “We have issued a notice to the three leaders. These views are purely independent and have nothing to do with the party. We have sought a response and will initiate disciplinary action accordingly.”

On Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur’s candidature from Bhopal, Amit Shah said, “The case against Sadhvi is false. Levelling allegations against someone does not make that person an accused. Who is responsible for the vote bank politics? It is nonetheless than the Congress. The party chief must apologise to the nation.”

Shah added, “Pragya Thakur’s candidature is a ‘Satyagraha’ against a fake case of fake Bhagwa terror. I want to ask the Congress, some people were earlier arrested in the Samjhauta blast case who were related to the Lashkar-e-Toiba. A fake case of ‘bhagwa terror’ was made in which the accused have been acquitted.”

The press conference of the top two BJP leaders came on the last day for campaigning for the Lok Sabha election. A total of 59 seats will go to poll in Phase 7 which is scheduled on May 19. The results of the 2019 Lok Sabha election will be declared on May 23.

 

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Mamata Banerjee warns BJP, EC over Bengal polls, says they will be accountable

Mamata Banerjee holds BJP and Election Commission responsible for any incidents during Bengal polls, raising concerns over officer transfers.

Published

17 hours ago

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March 17, 2026

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India responsible for any untoward incidents in the state during the upcoming assembly elections, following the transfer of key officials.

Addressing concerns over administrative reshuffles, Banerjee said that changes involving senior bureaucrats, including the chief secretary and home secretary, could affect governance and law and order in the state during a crucial period.

The Trinamool Congress chief also announced candidates for 291 constituencies for the elections scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Criticising the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the transfers were being carried out in a manner that benefits the BJP. She questioned the timing of the decisions and said such actions weaken the state administration at a sensitive time.

She further raised concerns about disaster management and essential services, stating that experienced officials familiar with the state’s situation have been replaced. According to her, this could impact administrative efficiency if any emergency arises before the new government is formed.

Protecting Bengal’s identity

Banerjee emphasised that the election is not merely about forming a government but about safeguarding Bengal’s identity and existence. She accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and attempting to influence the electoral process.

She urged that elections should be conducted peacefully, without external interference, and in line with democratic principles. The chief minister also expressed confidence that her party would return to power with a stronger mandate.

Appealing to voters, she called for support for the Trinamool Congress, asserting that the people of Bengal will ultimately decide the outcome and protect their democratic rights.

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Mamata Banerjee writes to poll chief over officers’ reshuffle, calls move arbitrary

Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, calling the reshuffle of senior Bengal officials arbitrary and raising concerns over constitutional norms.

Published

1 day ago

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March 17, 2026

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mamta banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising strong objections to the recent reshuffle of senior bureaucrats in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

In her letter, Banerjee described the move by the Election Commission of India as “arbitrary” and expressed “deep concern” over what she termed a unilateral decision. She urged the Commission to refrain from adopting such measures in the future.

The Chief Minister pointed out that while the Election Commission does have the authority to make administrative changes during elections, past practice has involved consultation with the state government. According to her, the Commission would typically seek a panel of officers from the state and make its selections from that list, maintaining what she called constitutional propriety and administrative convention.

Banerjee warned that bypassing this process could undermine the institutional credibility and long-standing legacy of the poll body, and may also affect the foundational principles of the constitutional framework.

The controversy stems from the Commission’s decision, taken soon after announcing election dates, to remove several top officials from election-related duties. These include the state’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner, and Home Secretary.

The Commission has maintained that the reshuffle was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and violence-free electoral process.

Reacting sharply, Banerjee alleged bias in the decision-making, claiming that the removal of the Chief Secretary indicated an anti-women stance. She also accused the Commission of selectively targeting officers, suggesting that the move favoured individuals aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress escalated its protest, staging a day-long walkout from the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day.

Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Election Commission is a constitutional authority, adding that questioning its decisions in Parliament is inappropriate and unproductive.

The Commission has appointed a new Chief Secretary in place of the outgoing official as part of the reshuffle.

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BJP releases first list of 47 candidates for Kerala assembly polls

The BJP has released its first list of 47 candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, including three former Union ministers.

Published

2 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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BJP releases list of candidates

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its first list of 47 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9.

Voting will take place for all 140 seats in the state assembly, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. A party or coalition needs at least 70 seats to secure a majority in the House.

Among the candidates announced in the first list are three former Union ministers — Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V. Muraleedharan and George Kurian.

Key candidates announced

Kerala BJP chief and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has been fielded from the Nemom assembly constituency. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Chandrasekhar lost the Thiruvananthapuram seat to three-time MP Shashi Tharoor, but he led in the Nemom assembly segment during that contest. The party believes this performance strengthens its prospects in the constituency.

Nemom has held political significance for the BJP since 2016, when senior leader O. Rajagopal won the seat and became the party’s first-ever MLA in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly. The victory marked the BJP’s initial breakthrough in the state assembly.

However, the seat returned to the Left camp in the 2021 Assembly election when V. Sivankutty defeated BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Former Union minister V. Muraleedharan will contest from the Kazhakoottam constituency, while George Kurian has been nominated from Kanjirappally.

Other candidates in the list

According to the list released by the party, several other candidates have also been announced for key constituencies. P. C. George will contest from Poonjar, R. Sreelekha from Vattiyoorkavu and Padmaja Venugopal from Thrissur.

The BJP has also nominated Sobha Surendran from Palakkad, Navya Haridas from Kozhikode North and Kavitha K. S. from Sulthanbathery, a reserved constituency.

Raji Prasad will contest from the Kunnathur seat reserved for Scheduled Castes, while R. Rashmi has been fielded from Kottarakkara.

Political backdrop in Kerala

Kerala’s electoral politics has traditionally alternated between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). However, the BJP has been attempting to expand its presence in the state.

The alternating trend was interrupted in the 2021 Assembly election when the electorate returned the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government to power for a second consecutive term.

The BJP believes recent electoral performances and local body successes have strengthened its position as it prepares to contest the upcoming assembly polls.

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