Avoided choosing 'populist course', says Modi

Says he opted for a 'more difficult path' of correcting the defective government machinery

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he had consciously avoided choosing a "populist course" and had instead opted for a "more difficult path" of correcting a defective government machinery.

Looking back at one year in office, Modi, when asked if there was something he could have done differently, said that he had two options.

"One option was to do things methodically to mobilise the government machinery, correct the many defects and ills which had crept into the system, so as to provide long term benefits to the country in the form of clean, efficient and fair governance."

"The other was to use the mandate to announce new populist schemes and bombard the media with announcements to keep the people fooled. The latter course is easier and people are used to it.

"However, I did not choose this and instead chose the more difficult path of correcting the defective government machinery in a quiet and methodical way. If I had chosen the populist course, it would have been a breach of the trust placed in me by the people," Modi told PTI.

Asked to enumerate steps he had taken to change the way the government works, he said, "We have tried to remind government servants that they are servants of the public and have restored discipline in Central government officers."

"I have done a small thing, one that appears small from outside. I regularly interact with officers over tea; it is part of my working style."