ADDRESSING the first press conference of his tenure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the Lok Sabha elections “spectacular” and expressed confidence of coming to power again. In a surprised 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.

 

 

 

“In my opinion, our full majority Government will return to power. It will happen after a long time in the country,” Modi told reporters. Hailing India as the world’s largest democracy, Modi said that it is everyone’s duty to showcase the strength of this democratic system to the world.

 

“It should be a matter of appreciation for the world, the variations we have in our democratic system,” Modi said at his maiden press conference as Prime Minister. Modi thanked the people of the country, “I am overwhelmed with the support that I got. I want to thank the people for all the love and support,” he said.

 

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.

Party president Amit Shah, at the same dais, affirmed that their party will run the Government for a second term. “We are confident that we’ll receive good results.” he said.

 

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. Elections to 59 parliamentary constituencies will be held on May 19 in the seventh and last round of national polls. Counting of votes for all 543 seats will take place on May 23.