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PM Modi wishes for 'good neighbourly relations' with Pakistan, slams Mamata Banerjee over NRC issue

News Nation Bureau New Delhi Updated on: 12 Aug 2018, 10:51 AM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive interview with news agency ANI on Saturday congratulated Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and wished to have good neighbourly relations with them. PM Modi also slammed Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee over her comments about the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and said that no citizen of India will have to leave the country. The saffron party leader also spoke about the incidents regarding lynching and crimes against women. 

ALSO READ: From NRC issue to lynching incidents to Indo-Pak relations: Top 5 takeaways from PM Modi's interview

“Those who have lost faith in themselves, fear loss of popular support and lack faith in our institutions can use words like ‘civil war’, ‘blood bath’ and ‘Desh Ke Tukde Tukde.’ Evidently, they are disconnected from the pulse of the nation," said PM Modi on Mamata Banerjee’s statement on NRC.

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“I want to assure the people that no citizen of India will have to leave the country. As per the due process, all possible opportunities will be given to get their concerns addressed: PM Narendra Modi on NRC,” Modi said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Reacting to the Opposition's accusation over his silence on incidents regarding lynching and crimes against women, PM Modi said, 'Even a single incident is one too many and deeply unfortunate. Everyone should rise above politics to ensure peace and unity in our society. My party and I have spoken in clear words, on multiple occasions against such actions and such a mindset. It is all on record.

After the recently concluded Pakistan elections in which Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf won, PM Modi congratulated the cricketer turned politician. Pakistan's new prime minister Khan also said that they are open to a dialogue for a fresh start between India and Pakistan. While asked about India's chances of participating in SAARC, PM Modi said, 'I have always said that we wish to have good neighbourly relations. We have also taken various initiatives in this regard. I recently congratulated Mr. Imran Khan on his victory in the elections. We hope that Pakistan would work for a safe, secure, stable and prosperous region, free from terror and violence.'

Modi also countered Congress president Rahul Gandhi claims of rising unemployment, said more than 1 crore jobs have been created in the last year alone, hence of campaign of lack of jobs needs to stop now. 

While asked about the no-confidence motion during the Parliament monsoon session and the reported clash between BJP and its allies, PM Modi said, "the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha and the election for the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha" were two events which were enough to provide answers on this issue. The outcome of these events should indicate which coalition is intact and which is falling apart. In fact, we got support even from those parties which are not our allies. BJP has consistently expanded (its) base over (the) recent years among people and welcomed more allies to NDA."

Also Read | Rahul’s politics is all about lying on every issue: BJP

Rahul Gandhi in a rally in Jaipur on Saturday alleged that PM Modi’s promises failed on all fronts including job promise and accused the Modi government of silence over lynching and crime against women.

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First Published : 12 Aug 2018, 00:23 AM

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