Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second very public “interaction” with the press corps in Delhi was strikingly similar to the one he attended more than a year ago, just after he won the 2014 general election.
Like last year, he arrived to a packed hall of nearly 400 journalists and made a short speech on the social and cultural importance of festivals, since it was to mark Diwali that the event was being ostensibly held. “Indian festivals are a source of inspiration, deep parwa [festival of lights] is also a part of them, it strengthens the feeling of equality,” he said.
“In our society, festivals in themselves are great events and give us momentum, energy and enthusiasm,” he said.
After his speech, Mr. Modi went round the room shaking hands and posed obligingly for selfies with those who requested them. Like the last time, he was mobbed, and photographs of this went viral on social media within minutes.
As interactions go, the outcomes were negligible, as before. No question-answer session was scheduled, though he did answer individual questions posed through the pressing throng. “After yesterday’s [Friday’s] meeting, I am certain Parliament will run and we will be able to clear the Goods and Services Tax Bill,” he said, as he made his way through the venue. There were also signs to be read in the details. This winter session of Parliament is being referred to as the one in which the thaw between Mr. Modi and the Opposition would take place.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the Journalists during the Diwali Mangal Milan in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: PTI
A missing warmth between the Prime Minister and what is derisively referred to as ‘Lutyen’s Zone establishment’ would manifest itself, whether owing to the exigencies of the Bihar poll outcome or because it was really time that it happened.
Therefore, as Mr. Modi spoke of the “social and cultural significance of festivals in our life,” the traditional chaat stalls at the venue jostled for space with La Italia, a pizza vendor.
Two Union Ministers, whose departments include infrastructure development, tucked into these triangles of melted cheese and dough, jokingly commenting that “now that we have reached out to the Opposition, I suppose one can partake of a slice of pizza.”
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu shed their traditional kurta-pyjama and wore pants and jackets in the cold Delhi air. The usually taciturn BJP president, Amit Shah, smiled and shook hands affably.
And while the media had to see its desire to ask questions to the Prime Minister remain unfulfilled yet again, could it be time to quote Shelley: “If winter comes can spring be far behind?”
