india

Updated: May 14, 2020 04:05 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday wrapped up his campaign for a second term in the national elections, predicted his return as prime minister at a joint press conference that he addressed with BJP president Amit Shah.

“It is the first time in many years that a government which had a majority is coming back to power,” PM Modi said at his first press conference in five years. “Through all ups and downs, the nation always stood beside me,” he added, crediting his government for stressing on “last-mile delivery”.

“This is the new culture of governance in India, and this is what the real strength of democracy,” said PM Modi.

WATCH: ‘Unprecedented,’ Rahul Gandhi mocks PM Modi’s first presser, poses a question

Amit Shah had earlier credited PM Modi’s work in the government and his popularity with people for the success of the campaign that he described as one of India’s hardest fought election. PM Modi, he said, had addressed 142 election rallies and conducted 4 road shows that let him made direct contact with 1.5 crore people.

Shah echoed Prime Minister Modi who had earlier in the day predicted 300 plus seats for the party. “People have accepted PM Mod’s experiment. I have faith that the mandate for the Modi government this time would be far bigger,” said Amit Shah.

“The BJP will get a majority on its own and the NDA will form the government… But if there are other parties which want to join (the ruling alliance), they are welcome,” Shah said.

PM Modi’s surprise appearance at Amit Shah’s Press conference is seen to be designed to counter the Congress’s attacks that the prime minister hadn’t addressed a single one. Rahul Gandhi, whose press conference coincided with Amit Shah’s briefing, described PM Modi’s presence at the media briefing “unprecedented” and nudged journalists to ask the prime minister about the Rafale deal.

“Let me ask him a question right now. Mr.PM, why did you not accept my challenge to debate on corruption in Rafale?” Rahul Gandhi asked.

There was a question on the Rafale deal. Amit Shah, who took the question, rejected the allegation of wrong doing in the deal. “I have responded to it. The prime minister does not need to respond to everything because this question has no basis,” Shah said.