Needless EVM row, says Modi

New Delhi, May 21 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed concern over the “needless controversy” created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of National Democratic Alliance leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again.

At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 General Election decisive for the country and pledging to make India “strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive” by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its Independence, party leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters.

In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said.

The PM expressed concern over the Opposition making “needless controversy” over electronic voting machines, the Home Minister said.

The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palaniswami were among the BJP allies who attended the dinner-meeting hosted by BJP president Amit Shah. — TNS/PTI

PM meets top brass

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday night held a meeting with top bureaucrats, though there was no official word about the agenda. He is believed to have taken feedback on various issues, including about the state of the economy. This is possibly the first time that Modi convened a meeting of top bureaucrats after announcement of dates of LS elections in March. PTI