Election Watch: At maiden press con, questions asked of PM were answered by Amit Shah

At his maiden press conference, Narendra Modi did not take a single question from the media, saying he was a "disciplined soldier" of the party

New Delhi: At his maiden press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take a single question from the media. Instead of Modi, it was Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah who was taking questions directed by mediapersons at the PM. Modi deflected the questions saying that he was a "disciplined soldier" of the party.

"No, no, not me. We don't speak in front of the president," the Prime Minister told a reporter at the press meet held just before the end of the national election campaign.

Modi's opening remarks

In his opening remarks, which was the only time Modi spoke, he said that the BJP is set to return to power with a full-fledged majority. "It has not happened often in our country that a government with full majority returns once again with a majority," the PM told reporters at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

"On May 16 the results came out. And on May 17 there was a big casualty. Those who were power-hungry and those into betting suffered the biggest loss," said Modi.

Amit Shah answers questions meant for PM

After Modi ended his remarks and reporters directed questions at him, Shah stepped in and firmly said, "I have answered your question. It is not necessary for the PM to answer every question." When a second journalist said, "My question is for the PM," Shah automatically started replying. The question was on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao's meetings to evolve a federal front.

Shah replied by saying, "See, we are completely sure that we are going to win. These people don't have any work on the campaign trail so they are meeting in drawing rooms."

The backdrop

The news comes at a time when Modi has been on targeted by the Opposition for not addressing a single press conference since he assumed the top job in 2014. Off late the Prime Minister has given a number of one-on-one interviews to news TV channels and newspapers. However, these interviews have come under flak because critics said that the questions put to the PM were soft and scripted.