Chandigarh, October 20
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has no stomach for forthright questions about the Gujarat riots and the image problems they have thrown up for him. He walked out of a 30-minute Devil’s Advocate interview with Karan Thapar on Friday within four and a half minutes.

The CNN-IBN telecast a three-minute excerpt from this recording on Saturday.

The interviewer wanted to know why it was that despite India Today calling him the best Chief Minister and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation saying Gujarat was the best administered state, tens of millions say that Modi is a mass murderer and prejudiced against the Muslims.

Modi took exception and claimed “there are two or three persons who talk in that terminology”.

On being reminded that in September 2003, the Supreme Court had said that they had lost faith in the Gujarat government, Modi countered that this was not in writing in the Supreme Court judgement.

Thapar raised two key issues: Does he have an image problem and can he win another election and become the Chief Minister again?

Modi attributed the bad image to the fact that “I have not spent a single minute on my image”.

On being advised that he should express regrets over the riots and admit that the government should have done more to protect Muslims, Modi took his mike off, refused to continue the interview and gave a counter-suggestion to Thapar: Apke ideas hain aap bolte rahiye, aap karte rahiye.

Here is the transcript of the interview:

Karan Thapar: Mr Narendra Modi let’s start by talking about you — In the six years that you have been the CM of Gujarat, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation has declared Gujarat to be the best administered state. India Today on two separate occasions declared that you are the most efficient Chief Minister. And despite that people still call you to your face, a mass murderer, and they accuse you of being prejudiced against Muslims? Do you have an image problem?

Narendra Modi: I think it’s not proper to say that (there are) people. There are two or three persons who talk in this terminology and I always say God bless them.

Karan Thapar: You are saying this is the conspiracy of two or three persons only?

Narendra Modi: I have not said so.

Karan Thapar:  But you are saying it’s only two or three people.

Narendra Modi: This is the information I have. It’s the people’s voice.

Karan Thapar: Can I point out to you that in September 2003, the Supreme Court said that they had lost faith in the Gujarat government? In April 2004, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said you were like a modern-day Nero who looked the other way when helpless children and innocent women were being burnt. The Supreme Court seems to have a problem with you.

Narendra Modi: I have a small request to make. Please go through the SC judgement. If there is anything in writing, I’ll be happy to know everything.

Karan Thapar: There was nothing in writing, you are right. It was an observation.

Narendra Modi: If it is in (the) judgement then I’ll be happy to give you the answer.

Karan Thapar:  But do you mean a criticism by the Chief Justice in court doesn’t matter?

Narendra Modi: It’s a simple request. Please go through the court judgement. Hand out the sentence you are quoting and let the people know it.

Karan Thapar: OK. It wasn’t just an open comment made by the Chief Justice. In August 2004, the Supreme Court reopened some 2100 cases out of a total of around 4600 — almost 40 per cent, and they did so because they believed that justice hadn’t happened in Gujarat.

Narendra Modi: I’ll be happy. Ultimately the court of law will take the judgement.

Karan Thapar: But isn’t this the reason that despite the fact India Today called you the best Chief Minister, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation says Gujarat is the best administered state, tens of millions say Modi is prejudiced against the Muslims? This is why I ask you, do you have an image problem?

Narendra Modi: Actually I have not spent a single minute on my image. And that can also be a reason. I am busy with my work. I am committed to Gujarat I am dedicated to Gujarat. I never talk about my image, never spent a single minute for my image, and confusions may be there.

Karan Thapar: I’ll tell you what the problem is. Even five years after the Gujarat killings of 2002, the ghost of Godhra still haunts you. Why have you not done more to allay that ghost?

Narendra Modi: This I give it to the mediapersons like Karan Thapar. Let them enjoy.

Karan Thapar: Can I suggest something to you?

Narendra Modi: I have no problem.

Karan Thapar: Why can’t you say that you regret the killings that happened? Why can’t you say may be the government should have done more to protect Muslims?

Narendra Modi: What I had to say I have said at that time, and you can find out my statements.

Karan Thapar: Just say it again.

Narendra Modi: Not necessary. I have to talk about in 2007 everything you want to talk about.

Karan Thapar:  But by not saying it again, by not letting people hear the message repeatedly you are allowing an image contrary to the interest of Gujarat to continue. It’s in your hands to change it.

Modi takes mike off

Narendra Modi: I’ll have to rest. I need some water.

Karan Thapar: Paani (water).

Narendra Modi: Dosti bani rahe, bas. I’ll be happy. You came here. I am happy and thankful to you. I can’t do this interview. It’s OK your things are. Apne ideas hain aap bolte rahiye aap karte rahiye. Three-four questions I’ve already enjoyed. Nahin please.

Karan Thapar: But Modi saab...

Narendra Modi: Nahin please, Karan.

Karan Thapar: But Modi saab.

Narendra Modi: Karan dekho main dostana sambhand rakhna chahta hoon, aap usko koshish kariye.

Karan Thapar:  Mujhe ek cheez samjhayee sir. I am not talking about doing anything wrong. I am saying why can’t you correct your image?

Narendra Modi: This is not the time. Uske liye aap mujhe 2002 mein mile hote, 2003 mein mile hote mein sab kar leta.