‘I’m shocked, I never said Hindu or Muslim’: PM Modi clarifies ‘infiltrators’ remark
New Delhi: Reacting to “infiltrators” and “those with more children” remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that he did not speak about Muslims. He clarified that he spoke about every poor family. “The day I’ll start doing Hindu-Muslim, I’ll be unworthy of public life,” said PM Modi. He added, “I do not work for a vote bank. I believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle.”
I won’t do Hindu-Muslim, says PM Modi
During an interview with News 18, PM Modi said that he didn’t mention either Hindu or Muslim. “I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Don’t let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children,” said the PM.
Addressing concerns about his post-Godhra image, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged that his reputation among Muslims was tarnished after the 2002 riots. However, he said that his actions and policies are not driven by religious considerations. “The day I start doing Hindu-Muslims, I won’t be entitled to live in the public domain. I won’t do Hindu-Muslim. This is my pledge,” he said.
Earlier, PM Modi had accused the Congress of planning to redistribute wealth and target specific demographics. Referring to reports about Congress’s intentions, he alleged that the party would conduct surveys to identify wealthy persons and redistribute their assets.
PM Modi to contest from Varanasi
Prime Minister Modi filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, seeking a third consecutive term. He expressed confidence that the people of the country would support him in the upcoming elections.
The Prime Minister’s nomination comes ahead of the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Varanasi, scheduled for June 1, with vote counting set for June 4. PM Modi, the sitting MP and BJP candidate, filed his nomination at the district magistrate’s office on Tuesday.