(PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked BJP leaders to refrain from making “irresponsible” statements, saying such comments hurt the party’s image. In an interaction with the party’s MPs, MLAs and other representatives, Modi said leaders at times jump to make statements in front of the media and end up providing “masala” (fodder to controversies). There is no point then blaming it for controversies, he said. “Don’t blame the media. It is doing its job. It’s our job to not get entangled in every thing and guide the nation on every issue by standing in front of the TV. Those with the responsibility of speaking on the issue will do it,” he said.
Touching on the subject of some party leaders making embarrassing comments, Modi said his remarks might seem bitter but must be made. “At times our workers talk a lot about the media doing this, media doing that. But have we thought that we end up giving ‘masala’ to the media with our mistakes? As if we are some social scientists or scholars who can analyse every problem. The moment we see a cameraperson we rush to make a statement. The media will use the part which it finds useful. It is not its fault. We will have to restrain ourselves,” he said.
Modi’s suggestion to the party members against speaking out of turn to the media comes against the backdrop of some BJP leaders making controversial comments on the recent rape incidents and Dalit issues. According to a video of interaction posted on Modi’s website, he said if everybody makes comments, then it ends up harming the nation’s, party’s and their personal image. He recalled that when the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, there were eight to ten MPs who would speak a lot on different issues but has since not let the party down after he spoke to them.
