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Monday, Oct 22, 2007
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I never talk about my image: Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi told CNN-IBN that “there are only two or three persons” who labelled him a mass murderer and accused him of being prejudiced against Muslims. “I always say God bless them,” he tol d Karan Thapar in the Devil’s Advocate programme on October 19 that lasted four-and-a-half minutes. Mr. Modi walked out of the interview saying that he did not “have to talk about in 2007 everything you [Karan Thapar] want to talk about.”

— FILE Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

Narendra Modi: “I am busy with my work. I am committed to Gujarat. I am dedicated to Gujarat.”

Mr. Narendra Modi, let’s start by talking about you. In the six years that you have been the CM of Gujarat, the Rajiv Gandhi foundation has declared Gujarat to be the best-administered State. IndiaToday on two separate occasions declared that you are the most efficient Chief Minister. And despite that, people still call you to your face, a mass murderer, and they accuse you of being prejudiced against Muslims? Do you have an image problem?

I think it’s not proper to say that there are people. There are two or three persons who talk in this terminology and I always say ‘God bless them.’

You are saying this is the conspiracy of two or three persons only?

I have not said so.

But you are saying it is only two or three people.

This is the information I have. It’s the people’s voice.

Can I point out to you that in September 2003 the Supreme Court said that they had lost faith in the Gujarat government? In April 2004 the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said that you were like a modern day Nero w

ho looks the other side when helpless children and innocent women were being burnt. The Supreme Court seems to have a problem with you.

I have a small request to make. Please go through the SC judgment. If there is anything in writing, I’ll be happy to know everything.

There was nothing in writing. You are right. It was an observation.

If it is in the judgment then I’ll be happy to give you the answer.

But do you mean a criticism by the Chief Justice in court doesn’t matter?

It’s a simple request. Please go through the court judgment. Hand out the sentence you are quoting and let the people know it.

Ok. In August 2004 the Supreme Court reopened some 2,100 cases out of a total of around 4600 — almost 40 per cent, and they did so because they believed that justice hadn’t happened in Gujarat.

I’ll be happy. Ultimately the court of law will take the judgment.

But isn’t this the reason that despite the fact that India Today called you the best Chief Minister, the Rajiv Gandhi foundation says Gujarat is the best administered State, tens of millions s

ay Modi is prejudiced against the Muslims. This is why I ask you: do you have an image problem?

Actually I have not spent a single minute on my image. And that can also be a reason. I am busy with my work. I am committed to Gujarat. I am dedicated to Gujarat. I never talk about my image, never spent a single minute for my image, and confusions may be there.

I’ll tell you what the problem is. Even five years after the Gujarat killings of 2002, the ghost of Godhra still haunts you. Why have you not done more to allay that ghost?

This I give it to the mediapersons like Karan Thapar. Let them enjoy.

Can I suggest something to you?

I have no problem.

Why can’t you say that you regret the killings that happened? Why can’t you say that may be the government should have done more to protect Muslims?

What I had to say I have said at that time, and you can find out my statements.

Just say it again.

Not necessary that I have to talk about, in 2007, everything you want to talk about.

But by not saying it again, by not letting people hear the message repeatedly you are allowing an image contrary to the interest of Gujarat to continue. It’s in your hands to change it.

(Modi takes mike off)

I’ll have to rest. I need some water.

Paani (water).

Dosti bani rahe bas (Friendship should be maintained, that’s all). I’ll be happy. You came here. I am happy and thankful to you. I can’t do this interview. It’s ok your things are. Apne ideas hain aap bolte rahiye aap karte rahiye (These are your ideas, you keep talking, keep doing). 3-4 questions I’ve already enjoyed. Nahin please.

But Modi saab...

Nahin, please Karan.

But Modi saab.

Karan dekho main dostana sambhand rakhna chahta hoon, aap usko koshish kariye (Karan, I want to maintain friendly relations. You make efforts towards that).

Mujhe ek cheez samjhayee sir. I am not talking about doing anything wrong. I am saying why can’t you correct your image?

This is not the time. Uske liye aap mujhe 2002 mein mile hote, 2003 mein mile hote mein sab kar leta (for that, you should have met me in 2002, you should have met me in 2003, I would have done all that).

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I never talk about my image: Modi