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India ka DNA conclave: People will back PM Modi in 2019, says Amit Shah
An enlightening first session saw business leaders speak at length on a number of issues on Zee News India ka DNA 2019 conclave on June 20.
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The people of India do feel that achhe din (good days - BJP's slogan for 2014 Lok Sabha polls) has come, says Shah. He cites various measures taken by the Modi government.
Sonia Gandhi being active again (in Karnataka), Shah says - That is a worry for the Congress, not the BJP.
She is a senior leader of the Congress party, we have no problem with her campaigning for her party, he adds.
We believe in running a transparent and decisive government... we have been in power in Gujarat for 22 years... people gave us a chance in 2014 due to our tradition, says Shah.
Acknowledging that the rise of petrol and diesel prices was a concern, he says - The government is taking it seriously.
If a party has to face the elections with someone like PM Modi's face, then contesting the polls becomes easy, says Shah.
We’re not a government of slogans, we’ve shown results and BJP has given India good governance and growth, says Shah.
On Karnataka elections, he says - I do not think that we lost in the state, our seats increased.
I have visited 460 districts of this country, I meet people regularly, every section of the society wants PM Modi to come back to power in 2019, says Shah.
Talking about BJP initiative 'Sampark for Samarthan', Shah says - By October 2018 end our leaders will go to almost 12 crore people in the country and connect with them.
Shah takes on Rahul Gandhi and lists out the number of state elections that Congress has lost under him.
When PM Modi gets respect outside, its respect for the people of India. When India sends satellites in the space and when India conducts a surgical strike in Pakistan, the people of India feel proud, says Shah.
The Modi government has restored the confidence of Indian people in governance and restored India to its pride of place in the nations of the world, he adds.
Taking a dig at the proposed opposition alliance, Shah says - if the legal age for marriage is 21, can you put 21 one-year-olds together and get them married?
The Modi government has worked for the people of this country, we have touched the lives of crores of people, he adds. The BJP chief also talks about Mudra Yojna, Ujjwala Yojana, electrification of villages, one-rank-one-pension, among other things.
On Rahul Gandhi being the opposition face for the PM in 2019, Shah says - Someone will become PM if a party gets the numbers.
On opposition unity, Shah says - When it is time for the people to decide, people of India will back PM Modi... We have worked well with our allies and have given a good administration.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party and BSP coming together might make a difference, but let the seat distribution happen and then we’ll see where the allies are at, he adds.
On opposition unity, Shah says - I am proud that today, like it was during Indira Gandhi's time, it is BJP versus all.
BJP's policy towards Kashmir has never changed and will never change. We have not left the issue of Article 370, says Shah.
BJP chief Amit Shah joins the Zee conclave. Talking about the collapse of the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, he says - We were in an alliance in J&K on the agenda of development and governance based on a common minimum program, neither BJP nor PDP gave up their ideologies.
The people of this country have always shattered the arrogance of political leaders and parties. They will choose well in 2019, says Surjewala. On being asked by Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary - and Rahul Gandhi will become PM - Surjewala says, 'absolutely'.
The government's job is to give answers to the people and the opposition's duty is to give an alternative narrative, says Surjewala. On Congress losing many elections under Rahul Gandhi, he says - after 1990, in the last 28 years a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family has not even been a minister, the last to be PM was Rajiv Gandhi... in 2014, Rahul Gandhi had taken the responsibility of the loss... Rahul Gandhi is humble and capable, he does not get flustered by losses.
The people of this country are asking questions to PM Modi... Rahul Gandhi is raising issues on farmer distress, fuel price rise, unemployment, GDP figures, growth rate, among other things, says Surjewala.
As far as Uttar Pradesh is concerned, the Congress' aim is that vote should not be divided in the state, says Babbar.
Our aim is to make India strong, says Surjewala.
On the question regarding who the face of the opposition will be in 2019, Babbar says that they don't want to get into that. However, he adds that the Congress should be the fulcrum of opposition unity.
But, Surjewala says that being the largest opposition party, Rahul Gandhi is the PM face from the Congress' side.
The fight of opposition with PM Modi is not personal, the fight is against his intentions and ideology, says Surjewala. The country will only progress when everyone in the country walks together, says Surjewala.
Babbar says that Congress gave a tough fight to BJP in Gujarat. Voices are being raised against PM Modi's politics... political parties are now thinking of uniting due to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, he has sacrificed personal and party's interest for the sake of the nation... the BJP is now scared of losing in 2019, he adds.
Congress leaders, Raj Babbar (Rajya Sabha MP) and Randeep Singh Surjewala, party in-charge, communications, joins Zee conclave.
The opposition is scared of PM Narendra Modi's positive politics, that is why these political parties are coming together, says Tiwari.
Tiwari takes a dig at Delhi CM, he says, Arvind Kejriwal is a bigger actor than me. He does dharna in an air conditioner, he adds.
Tiwari slams Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi, takes on Aam Aadmi Party on the issues of water, electricity and health, among others.
Manoj Tiwari, MP, Delhi (North-East) and Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president speaking at Zee conclave now.
In 2014 we had gone to the people with Modi ji's leadership and his personality and in 2019 General Elections, we will go to the people with the good work that the government has done... every election is a challenge, we don't take any polls lightly... the next Lok Sabha polls is very challenging for us... we will try to retain our seats that we won in 2014 and maybe try to win a few more... in those areas that we did not do well, we will try to win there... we want that there should be a strong opposition in the country, who will lead them will be their decision, we wish them well, says Madhav.
The BJP's target will be to cross 300 in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he adds.
On former president Pranab Mukherjee going to RSS headquarters Nagpur to address their cadre, the BJP leader says - It was gracious of both of them to invite and attend, I see no politics in it.
We have no doubt that the BJP will come back to power in 2019... there is no alternative to PM Modi... people will vote for a stable government, compared to an unholy alliance and an unstable government... there is no comparison to PM Modi's leadership, says Madhav.
On Article 370, Madhav says - It is a serious issue, we have to debate seriously in Parliament... we have not given it up... BJP wanted abrogation, the PDP didn't want... we have not compromised on the issue, says Madhav.
There are two and a half years left of the J&K Assembly... it's in suspended animation... we have left the government in the state, we have not left J&K... we will neutralise all terrorists... development is our main agenda in the state... not sure when fresh elections will be held in the state... let us see how things unfold in the coming future, says Madhav.
In the past few months, the BJP felt that the PDP was going towards posturing... it may be political compulsion for them... alliances by nature are difficult to manage, says Madhav, party-in-charge of J&K.
On BJP-PDP alliance Madhav says - It is not the first time that parties with two ideologies have come together... Atal Bihari Vajpayee run a coalition government with many parties... at that time we had to keep some issues on the backburner... in J&K we respected the mandate of the people and formed the government in the interest of the state... we got 25 seats, they got 28... political untouchability is not a good thing, says Madhav.
Majority of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are like you and me, they have no problem with the Central government... however, there are some sections who are a challenge for us, says Madhav.
Mehbooba Mufti did suggest to us regarding ceasefire during the period of Ramzan... we thought about it and did it as a goodwill gesture... but terrorists came into towns and started killing people, they even killed a top journalist Shujaat Bukhari... we then decided to halt the ceasefire, says Madhav.
We took the decision to break alliance with PDP in Kashmir keeping national interest in mind, says Madhav.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav joins the Zee conclave.
Rathore talks about Ujjwala Yojana, the initiative to build toilets and Clean India Mission and says that it helped women the most.
On so-called opposition unity, the Sports Minister says - Parties who could not stand each other are now standing with each other to oppose us.
As we move towards 2019 polls, we know the attack on us will increase... we will give an assessment of our work with facts and figures... we have taken on new challenges like providing electrification to all... the opposition will do everything to undermine us... the dialogue of the opposition is general, they never keep it specific, says Rathore.
Delivery and the ability to govern is very high in PM Modi's team... our government gives a presentation of our report card to the media... as an MP too, we give a report card to our constituency... we may have shortcomings, but our intention is right, says sports minister.
Many people say that working in some places is tough, but they should work in PM Modi's team, Rathore says on a lighter note. We have to be constantly on our feet, says the minister.
The atmosphere before 2014 was frustrating for the common man in terms of leadership... young and good people need to come forward and work for the country, says Rathore.
We have been in attacking mode since 2014 and will be in the same mode till 2019... we have not worked keeping vote bank in mind... we will do everything for the country... we want direct communication with people... our ministers have always connected with the people and kept in touch with them, says Rathore.
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore joins takes centre stage at the conclave.
People who we consider uneducated are the most intelligent... they understand who will work for them and who are opportunistic... common people want development and our agenda is only development... says Javadekar.
Congress is nowhere to be seen, he quips.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi campaigning is beneficial for the BJP, says HRD Minister.
In 2019, we will the BJP alone will get more than 300 seats, claims Javadekar.
People have now started voting for development... they are now voting on the lines of caste and religion... this has been possible due to PM Modi, says Javadekar.
There is a difference between bypolls and Lok Sabha elections, says on BJP losing couple of by-elections in recent times.
The people of India are with us as we have worked... there are no charges of corruption on our ministers... we have made governance transparent... there is development all over... crores of people have benefitted... in four years there has been no bomb blast... we are determined to finish off terrorism... we ended alliance with PDP in J&K as we want to end terrorism... in the last two months things had become untenable, says Javadekar.
Mahagatbandhan's only agenda is 'Modi hatao' (remove Modi) and such an alliance is bound to fail, he adds.
PM Modi is the most popular leader in India today, says Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Jinnah worked with a mindset of partition.. and then left the country. Osama worked with a Taliban mindset and he's dead now: Naqvi
We can't ignore the poverty, illiteracy levels among Muslims. This is not about soft-secularism. Fact is - Muslims, though minority, are a part of 1.25 crore Indians: Naqvi
PM Modi's government has focused on 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' ever since voted into power four years ago: Naqvi
"I am totally against these political Iftar parties. It's only a platform for political exchange. Have you ever heard of Navratri Vrat party," said Naqvi when asked about the Congress' recent Iftar party.
PM Modi's demonitisation initiative was not any religion specific. It was applicable to all. PM Modi is a committed and hard-working leader. When you're taking care of 1.25 billion people, there's no space for favouritism: Naqvi
People were questioning why only Muslims are been given (Haj) subsidy? I spoke to several Muslim outfits, who agreed that it's caused trouble. So we ended the subsidy, and made sure flight prices remained stable: Naqvi
After PM Modi came into power, all lal battis were banned in states, ending the VIP culture. He then ended subsidies for the LPG connection. We are focusing on job creation: Naqvi
Naqvi says that it's all about “Empowerment without appeasement”.
“BJP is working towards the empowerment of all communities, not just minorities,” he added.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi takes the center stage at Zee's India Ka DNA 2019 Conclave, speaks on education, minorities and women empowerment.
The discussion with Tejashwi comes to an end. The big takeaways? The RJD scion attacks PM Modi for what he says are false promises, speaks on BJP relying on perception and that bridges with Nitish Kumar have been burnt.
Tejashwi on Nitish 'chacha':
He has realised just how wrong joining hands with BJP has been. He said he won't ever but he did. Now, if he wants to return to us, the doors are closed.
Tejashwi on reports of rift within his family:
It does not matter what certain newspapers write based on rumours. If it gets them more readership, we have no problem but the truth is far from all of these
"BJP is now running like a corporate house, the government has been making false promises and has not been able to fulfil even a single one."
"Just puffing the chest and posing for photos is not enough. People in the country are smart, they can see through lies."
At 29, Tejashwi has taken a lot of political responsibilities on himself. Any regrets of missing out?
I have seen politics very closely from my childhood. I am glad I was able to take up a political role at a young age. There are difficulties when one walks on the path of truth but I feel I am ready.
Akhilesh rakes up EVM issue:
If the world's biggest democracy cannot trust EVMs, then it is a sorry state. If other democracies are not trusting machines to register and count votes, why are we still carrying on with these?
Tejashwi agrees:
Reports of machines not working is unacceptable. It is better to use ballot paper if machines are increasingly proving to be ineffective or faulty.
Tejashwi on 'enmity' with PM Modi:
We have no personal enmity with PM Modi. But what work has been done at the ground level. When the youth should have been given pens, they were given swords by BJP. Investigative agencies are being used to hound Lalu Yadav's family. Is just saying 'Modi will win, Modi will win' enough?
On who can be PM if Mahagatbandhan wins:
People from all walks of life put their trust in PM Modi but that trust is now fading. The next PM will be he who has the support of people and PM Modi does not have that support.
We have come together not to fight Modiji, but to save the constitution and the democracy. The Opposition should focus on desh hit, not fight over petty issues: Tejashwi
It's a wrap on discussion with Akhilesh who concludes by saying two young men (him and Rahul Gandhi) may have fought UP elections but millions of young men will fight 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Next up: Tejaswhi Yadav, RJD leader and former Bihar deputy CM.
Akhilesh on his professional relationship with PM Narendra Modi:
I have no qualms with him, there is no fight or argument with him. The work we have done, he can never do. So where's the argument?
Was seat-sharing arrangement with Congress before UP elections a mistake?
At that time, I did what I felt was right. What happened has happened, I don't believe in looking back because the country needs to look forward.
How does Akhilesh rate PM Modi on a scale of 1 to 10?
All I can say is he is from UP but UP has not got anything. We too wish we could get bullet trains. Let's have an issue-based debate, that is what is crucial.
Views on demonetisation?
Has it worked at the ground level? Corruption is not down, black money is still not recovered. Will banks give loans to industries in the current scenario? Nothing that was promised from demonetisation has worked. The poor first thought they would get money from demonetisation but eventually, jobs vanished and infrastructure projects dried up.
Predictions on if there was an election in UP today:
If elections happened in UP today, there won't be anyone happier than me.
Akhilesh's snide attack on Yogi Adityanath:
I believe that if Yogi ji keeps blessing us, we will surely win!
What will be the new narrative going into 2019 Lok Sabha elections?
Till social justice does not prevail, there can be no progress and no win in elections. We saw that in Phulpur and Gorakhpur.
On learning lessons from past political coalitions:
I firmly believe that political parties have become mature now. If BJP can have alliance partners, then the opposition has hardly even begun coming together.
On if not naming a PM candidate can hurt Mahagatbandhan:
Not at all. The name will be decided after the elections based on what people of the country decide.
Akhilesh on who can be India's next PM:
The country needs a new PM. I can't comment on who should be. My favourite for the PM's post would be the person who is the country's favourite after elections next year. It will only be decided after the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections.
And does he see himself as PM?
I don't see myself in the list but I come from a state that makes the list. I don't dream so big that I become PM but yes, I dream that expressways are made.
What about Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul has the advantage of dreaming big because he comes from a family that has had PMs. There's nothing wrong with it. But Congress Party will have to work hard like any other party.
Akhilesh on impact of SP-BSP wins in Phulpur and Gorakhpur:
Come to Phulpur, visit Gorakhpur and see why BJP lost and we managed to win. All we want is for people in power to work for the country.
"Where are the jobs? How much work has been done on infrastructure? Forget about the entire country and let's speak about UP. Which big expressway has been started, where has a new metro been started? At least SP focussed on development of infrastructure which helped create jobs and led to happiness of people at large."
"Yogi Adityanath (UP CM) is busy inaugurating projects which were started by SP."
Akhilesh looks back at the 2017 UP Assembly elections:
We kept talking about development, about roads, education and social development. But BJP played divisive politics which cost us heavy.
Akhilesh looks forward towards 2019 Lok Sabha elections:
People want to work together, live together and progress together. That is what will be crucial for 2019 elections. The farmers are ready, the youth is ready to hit back at BJP government at in Delhi.
Akhilesh Yadav on stage.
The SP leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister speaks to Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Mahagatbandhan politics in India.
Expect tough questions and in-depth answers. Stay tuned.
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Giving voice to the audience!
What do members of the audience have to say about Mahagatbandhan?
"Mahagatbandhan is just about bringing the current government down. It is not in the interest of people and the country but about political opportunism."
"No one ever thought Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav will join hands. Why are political parties so scared of BJP? Is BJP really that strong?"
"Nothing wrong in a Mahagatbandhan. If BJP and PDP could join hands in the past, why can't other political parties come together if they feel the need to?"
"We need political parties to work in synergy for the betterment of the country. It does not matter who is with who as long as the country is put first."
Some of the key issues that political leaders will focus on are:
* Politics of Mahagatbandhan
* How PM Modi plans to take on Mahagatbandhan
* Situation in Kashmir
* BJP's political fitness
* Congress' fate in 2019 Lok Sabha elections
* How crucial is Muslim support in elections next year
BJP President Amit Shah is the chief guest for India Ka DNA 2019 Conclave. He will also give his views on a number of issues, later in the day.
Zee News India ka DNA 2019 Conclave on June 20 (Wednesday) saw some of the top minds in Indian politics and business come together to discuss issues which concern the country and its people. From the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir to the state of the economy and the next Lok Sabha elections scheduled in 2019, the leaders put forth their views on a wide range of issues at the conclave being held at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi.
While the first session of the conclave had business leaders in the country shed light on issues that include digital India, farming sector and affordable housing, the second session had political leaders giving out their opinion on four years of PM Narendra Modi's government and on their vision for the road that lies ahead.
(Complete schedule of Zee News India Ka DNA 2019 Conclave | Highlights from the first session)
Here are the updates: