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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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Amit Shah praises Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, says Nation above post

Amit Shah hailed Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister, saying BJP places the nation and students above any position while highlighting the government’s commitment to examination reforms.

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 26, 2026

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Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised Dharmendra Pradhan’s decision to step down as Union Education Minister, saying the move reflected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to placing the nation and students above any political position.

In a post on X, Shah said that for BJP workers, the country, its youth and students are more important than any office. He described Pradhan’s resignation as an example of the party’s guiding principle of prioritising national interest over personal ambition.

Shah highlights government’s focus on exam reforms

Amit Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government respects the sentiments of students and remains committed to strengthening the examination system following concerns over alleged paper leaks.

He said the Centre has introduced strict measures to ensure severe punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks and expressed confidence that these steps would deliver justice to students who cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Praises Pradhan’s work as Education Minister

Recalling Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure, Shah highlighted several initiatives undertaken during his time in the Education Ministry. He credited Pradhan with helping implement the National Education Policy (NEP), expanding PM SHRI schools, promoting digital education, strengthening skill development and improving coordination between industry and academic institutions.

Shah also said Pradhan worked towards making examinations more inclusive and student-centric, adding that his tenure reflected his commitment to the vision of a developed India.

Resignation follows NEET controversy

Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and growing demands for accountability.

The resignation has triggered political reactions across party lines. While opposition parties have described the development as a result of sustained student protests, BJP leaders have projected it as an example of accountability and commitment to national interest.

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Centre ready for NEET debate in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi’s paper leak claims to be investigated: JP Nadda

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the government is prepared for a detailed Parliament debate on the NEET paper leak issue and will investigate Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of multiple paper leaks over the last decade.

Published

4 days ago

on

July 22, 2026

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JP-Nadda

The Centre has reiterated its willingness to hold a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in Parliament, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda saying the government is prepared for a debate of any duration. He also said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of around 152 examination paper leaks over the past 10 years would be investigated.

Government open to debate of any duration

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, JP Nadda said the government has consistently supported a discussion on the paper leak issue in Parliament. He stated that the Opposition could decide the duration of the debate through the Business Advisory Committee, whether it is a short discussion or one extending to 12 or even 18 hours.

Nadda, who is also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said the government remains fully prepared for a comprehensive discussion and urged the Opposition not to shift its position on the issue.

Rahul Gandhi’s paper leak allegations to be examined

Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s recent presentation, Nadda said the Congress leader referred to nearly 150 paper leak incidents over the last decade. He described those claims as a matter that requires investigation and said the government would examine the allegations before presenting the facts to the public.

According to Nadda, a responsible government is committed to verifying such claims and ensuring that the truth is established through due investigation.

Calls for a united approach on NEET issue

Highlighting the significance of the matter, Nadda said the future of students should remain the top priority for both the government and the Opposition. He appealed to political parties to work together in finding a long-term solution to prevent examination irregularities.

He added that safeguarding the interests of students is a shared responsibility and called for constructive cooperation instead of political differences.

Nadda on meeting with CJP representatives

The Union Minister also spoke about his recent interaction with representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). He said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, during which the government listened to their concerns and asked them to submit their suggestions in writing.

Nadda said the government remains open to further discussions whenever required and clarified that no meeting with the group was held on Wednesday.

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Opposition demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation before NEET discussion in Parliament

The Opposition has demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation before any discussion on the NEET paper leak in Parliament, while the Centre says it is fully prepared for a debate.

Published

4 days ago

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July 22, 2026

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The political deadlock over the NEET paper leak issue continued in Parliament on Wednesday, with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion takes place. The Centre, however, maintained that it is fully prepared to debate the matter during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Leading the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there could be no fair discussion on the NEET issue unless Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post.

Centre rejects Opposition’s condition

Responding to the Opposition’s demand, Leader of the House JP Nadda said the government was not avoiding a discussion and remained open to debating all issues, including the alleged NEET paper leak.

He said the government had already made its position clear and described it as transparent, adding that it was willing to discuss every matter raised by the Opposition.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also reiterated that the Centre had been ready for discussions since the beginning of the Monsoon Session. He said the government had consistently conveyed its willingness to debate the NEET issue and other important matters.

Rijiju added that if the Opposition was looking for reasons to avoid a discussion, it would not be appropriate. According to him, the procedure and timing of the debate would be decided after consultations among all parties under the Chair’s guidance.

Opposition maintains resignation demand

The government also informed the House that its willingness to discuss the issue had been communicated to Congress leaders and representatives of other political parties.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the Opposition’s stand, saying students were seeking the resignation of the Education Minister before any discussion. He asserted that the resignation should come first, followed by parliamentary debate on the issue.

Akhilesh Yadav also joined Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs during a march towards the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday as part of the protest over the NEET controversy.

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