I don't think about religion, only Gujarat: Modi
Two months before Gujarat goes to polls, Chief Minister Narendra Modi says religion is no criterion for him in governance and he wants all states to replicate his model of administration.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Two months before Gujarat goes to polls, Chief Minister Narendra Modi says religion is no criterion for him in governance and he wants all states to replicate his model of administration.
"I work for the welfare of all Gujaratis. This majority-minority, this whole language has destroyed the country. I am a strong opponent of minoritysm, you cannot want a compromise from me on that," he said in an interview to the TV channel Times Now .
"I want my state's model of governance to be one that is inclusive. Every last person should benefit from it," he said.
He said he did not think of any religion. "Forget all, I don't even think about one. I only think about Gujarat," Modi said.
Asked if his vision of inclusive politics included Muslims, Modi said, "in this country, you will find leaders who speak the language of religion. Today, in the country I am speaking this new terminology of five-and-a-half crore Gujaratis... I have not spoken any other language."
To questions on minority-bashing, Modi said he was opposed to both majoritysm and minoritysm.
On the forthcoming elections, he said, "this time it will be the first election in the country after the Emergency when people are going to fight the election, not the party, not Modi. The people will set the agenda and the people of Gujarat want development."
Refuting allegations of communal speeches in the last elections, Modi said, "In 2002, if even in a single speech of mine you can find one word about minorities, I can say with confidence that in Delhi Sonia Behn's government would not have left me alive."
"I work for the welfare of all Gujaratis. This majority-minority, this whole language has destroyed the country. I am a strong opponent of minoritysm, you cannot want a compromise from me on that," he said in an interview to the TV channel Times Now .
"I want my state's model of governance to be one that is inclusive. Every last person should benefit from it," he said.
He said he did not think of any religion. "Forget all, I don't even think about one. I only think about Gujarat," Modi said.
Asked if his vision of inclusive politics included Muslims, Modi said, "in this country, you will find leaders who speak the language of religion. Today, in the country I am speaking this new terminology of five-and-a-half crore Gujaratis... I have not spoken any other language."
To questions on minority-bashing, Modi said he was opposed to both majoritysm and minoritysm.
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On the forthcoming elections, he said, "this time it will be the first election in the country after the Emergency when people are going to fight the election, not the party, not Modi. The people will set the agenda and the people of Gujarat want development."
Refuting allegations of communal speeches in the last elections, Modi said, "In 2002, if even in a single speech of mine you can find one word about minorities, I can say with confidence that in Delhi Sonia Behn's government would not have left me alive."
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