Note ban was not a 'Jhatka', we warned people, says Modi

From demonetisation, Ram Temple to former RBI governor Urjit Patel's exit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cleared air on several issues in his first interview in 2019. Prime Minister said the Urjit had himself requested to quit RBI sometime ago citing personal reason. In an interview to ANI, he also said that an Ordinance on Ram temple can be considered only after the judicial process in the Supreme Court is over. Prime Minister also alleged that the Congress slowed down the judicial process by creating "obstacles" in the Supreme Court. Here are snippets from the Prime Minister's interview to ANI:*On Demonetisation: It was not a sudden decision. It wasn’t a jhatka. We had warned people a year before, that if you have such wealth (black money), you can deposit it, pay penalties and you will be helped out. However, they thought Modi too would behave like others so very few came forward voluntarily.* On Congress-mukt bharat: Even Congress people say Congress is a thought, a culture. When I say Congress-mukt, I want to rid the country from this culture and thinking. I say that Congress too needs to be mukt of this culture.*On Modi Wave: I would like to thank the Opposition to recognise that there was a Modi wave. Only thing that matters in democracy is the people wave.* BJP's defeat in state polls: Nobody gave BJP any chance in Telangana and Mizoram. But in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, there was a hung assembly. Secondly, 15 years of anti-incumbency was being fought by our people. Win or loss are not the standard to judge the government. * Urjit Patel wanted to resign 6 months ago: He himself requested (to resign) on personal reasons. I am revealing for the first time, he was telling me about it for past 6-7 months before his resignation. He gave it even in writing. No question of political pressure. He did a good job as RBI Governor.* Attacking Gandhi Family: It is a fact that those considered first family, who ran the country for four generations, are out on bail,that too for financial irregularities. It is a big thing. A set of people, who are at their service, are trying to suppress such information and push other narratives.* On Surgical Strike: I gave clear orders that whether you (soldiers) get success or failure, don't think about that but come back before sunrise. I knew it was a big risk. I never care about any political risk to me. The biggestconsideration for me was the safety of soldiers.* On Pakistan: Ek ladai se Pakistan sudhar jayega, yeh sochna bohot badi ghalti hogi. Pakistan ko sudharne mein abhi aur samay lagega. (To think that Pakistan will start behaving would be wrong. It will take more time for Pakistan to be corrected). *Ordinance after legal process is over: "Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts," Modi said. The Ram Temple Issue issue is in the BJP manifesto and the party will try to find the solution under the ambit of the Constitution.* On Opposition's Mahagathbandhan: It is going to be 'Janta' versus 'gathbandhan'. Modi is just a manifestation of public love and blessings. * Ayushmaan Bharat: In just 100 days, nearly 6 lakh people have been benefited from the scheme.(Inputs from ANI)

from Economic Times http://bit.ly/2BOBBGs