NEW DELHI, May 17 - In his first appearance at a press conference since he came to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted in opening remarks that the BJP will come back to power with a full majority on its own, but refused to take any questions, citing party discipline.
In a surprised move, Modi showed up on the dais at the BJP headquarters here for a scheduled press conference by party president Amit Shah, who gave a detailed report card on the performance of the NDA government as well as BJP�s extensive electioneering.
After his opening remarks, Modi diverted questions by journalists, saying he will not answer because the press conference is being addressed by Shah, and in BJP�s system, discipline has to be followed.
�We are disciplined soldiers of the party. The party president is everything for us,� Modi said.
In his remarks, Modi said, �The election has been amazing. Elections were held in a positive spirit. A government with full majority will come back after remaining in power for five years. This is probably happening after a very long time. This is a big deal in itself.�
�The public has decided on the next government. We have promised many things in our manifesto to take the country forward. As soon as possible, the new government will take charge and we will take decisions one after another,� Modi added.
In the press conference, Shah answered all questions and asserted that BJP will come back with a bigger majority. �BJP will have enough seats to form a government on its own. We will get more than 300 seats. This election is to choose the country�s Prime Minister. Narendra Modi will be the PM,� said Shah.
There have been criticism against Modi, including by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, for not addressing any press conference since he became PM. � PTI
