How can those who failed as Opposition in the last 10 years, succeed in power: PM Modi

In an exclusive interview with Network 18, Prime Minister Modi criticised the Congress and other opposition parties for their perceived inability to fulfill their role effectively in Parliament.

Prime Minister Modi, after offering prayers at the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kaal Bhairav temple, filed his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday.

When questioned about his party’s ambition to win all seats, leaving none for the opposition, PM Modi highlighted the importance of a robust opposition in a democracy.

PM said, “I want to see a stronger opposition and I am working hard for that. But, stronger opposition doesn’t mean they will create ruckus in the parliament, obstruct its functioning by doing undemocratic activities”.

“It is very unfortunate for our country that these people have failed even in fulfilling their responsibilities effectively as opposition,” he said.

“They do not have a single work that they can claim they have done while being in the parliament from past ten years, even as opposition,” PM added.

Then he said, “How can they succeed in governance when they are failing as opposition”?

Highlighting the need for a stronger democracy with a more formidable opposition, PM Modi welcomed Sharad Pawar’s suggestion to consolidate smaller parties into a unified opposition force. He expressed concern that the current opposition might not secure enough seats in the ongoing election to be recognised as a legitimate opposition.

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‘Changed Parliamentary rules to benefit opposition’

Next, Modi said he even made a change in rules of the parliamentary committee to make the opposition leader sit in the committee meetings where ‘important’ decisions are taken.

“Since there was no leader of opposition, I made the change in the rules to make the leader of the biggest party in the opposition to sit in those committees,” he said underscoring his commitment towards democracy.

Accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, PM Modi submitted his nomination papers at the collectorate on Tuesday, setting the stage for a closely-watched electoral battle in Varanasi.

The constituency will witness a contest between PM Modi, Congress’ Ajay Rai, BSP’s Athar Jamal Lari, and independent candidate Shyam Rangeela, known for his mimcry of PM Modi.

Varanasi will go to polls on June 1, during the last phase of elections.