New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought to clarify that his appeal
for 'Congress-free India' was not meant in pure electoral term but rather it should be understood
in symbolic sense and more as a 'political culture' that had become synonymous with Congress dispensation.
"I am even telling the Congress to be free of the Congress culture......So what I am saying is symbolic.
My emphasis is not limited to Congress as a political party or about electoral victories in one state
or the other," Mr Modi said in an interview with Times Now TV channel.
He said, the "culture of the Congress" has emerged after Independence as the effective culture of Indian politics.
Due to such 'political culture', he said, it has become a culture that everyone should win election by hook or crook.
"They feel that taking a certain path will prove to be successful. Casteism, dynasty, corruption and exploitation, treachery and keeping complete control over power has become order of the day," he lamented.
This has started appealing to other political parties also. "This culture to end," he said even populism
and making announcement indiscriminately on the eve of polls --- is also part of that 'Congress culture'.
"I would accept even now, the Congress needs to be Congress-mukt and other parties also need to prevent themselves from slipping into that culture. I am not talking about a particular group or party here, I am talking about that culture," Mr Modi said.
On criticism of his government for GST, Mr Modi said for seven years the issue of uniform tax was debated in Parliament and thus it is improper to criticise GST after having voted in its favour.
"Inside we are taking decisions on GST harmoniously and outside you are displaying otherwise," he said.
Prime Minister went onto lament that, "They are insulting the collective strength of the Parliament and they are
insulting the temple of democracy".
He maintained, "We (central government) are one amongst the 33 members who took all decisions on GST.
Remaining are 32, but they are playing a game and pinning the blame only on us".
Taking exception to opposition criticism for his government's move to ban Triple Talaq, Prime Minister said,
"It was a move to let everyone live with dignity. I fail to understand why the Congress was not able to understand
this social service is a matter of concern. Politics should not fall so low...."
Mr Modi said the Triple Talaq issue is not really religous. "Even Islamic countries have also changed their laws.
Congress party or any party that indulges in vote bank politics must get out of this mindset".
He said, "I believed that the mistake the Congress did during Rajiv Gandhi's regime would have taught them something".
Dismissing the allegations of allegedly failing to create jobs in last three years, Prime Minister said, "The rate of
building rail tracks in a day has doubled. Wouldn't that be creating employment? Electrification is also double of
what used to be earlier. Would not that be creating employment?".
He said some people may be frustrated but it is not proper to make others frustrated too.
"If some people who are disappointed, we can understand if they try to come out of their disappointment. If they can't come out of their disappointment, they should not use language that also disappoints others," the Prime Minister added.
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