Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed the need for a debate on democracy in political parties.
Speaking at a Diwali get-together with mediapersons at the BJP headquarters here, he said there should be a discussion on transparency in political parties. He also appreciated the role of media in helping the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Recalling his days in the BJP headquarters as a party worker, he said: “You people complain that we do not get a chance to sit and chat like we used to do earlier…That was the time when I wanted to speak to you but could not find you. At times I used to get space (in media).”
“We all do our work as per our duty. But when we sit informally, everybody has a feeling for the country. You see some drawbacks in schemes and then give feedback to us because you go to so many places. I have a feeling that this proximity has got many benefits,” he said.
The Prime Minister said it was really nice to meet his friends from the media without their cameras, papers and pens. He said there were expectations from both sides (government and media) and that some middle path should be devised so that both could continue to move ahead.
“The country is not aware of democracy and decision making process in political parties. Whether democracy exists as the core issue in political parties should be debated in India, though there has already been discussion on political funding,” he added.
The function was attended by Union ministers Smriti Irani, Nirmala Sitharaman, Jitendra Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP president Amit Shah, senior leaders Sambit Patra, Shahnawaz Hussain, Anil Baluni, etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah said the NDA government under Narendra Modi had tried to solve issues confronting the nation on every front, be it challenges from across the border or the economy.