Shatrughan Sinha called PM's interview "well-scripted, choreographed, well researched and rehearsed"

Highlights Shatrughan Sinha offered his review of PM Modi's New Year interview

He called it a "well-scripted, well-researched and rehearsed" interview

Mr Sinha questioned PM over allies leaving National Democratic Alliance

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, the ruling BJP's in-house critic, on Thursday offered his review of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's New Year interview to news agency ANI and it was not exactly glowing. Calling it a "well-scripted, choreographed, well-researched and rehearsed" interview, the Bihar MP urged PM Modi to hold a press conference as his predecessors have done in the past and take "candid extempore" questions.

"Sir, we all saw your well-scripted, choreographed, well researched and rehearsed TV interview on Monday evening. With due respect to the anchor, wonder lady, Smita Prakash, isn't it high time and the right time to enhance your image as an able and capable leader taking candid extempore questions," Mr Sinha, nicknamed "shotgun" for his outspokenness, said in a series of tweets.



"We know you don't want to face them but at least have the courage to answer questions from the tall statesman Yashwant Sinha and learned journalist Arun Shourie," he said, referring to two former BJP colleagues turned sharp PM Modi critics.



Mr Sinha said though in the interview the PM looked "cool and composed" but it was not "convincing or at par with his earlier performances".



Echoing opposition criticism over the prime minister not calling a single press conference in the last four and half years, Mr Sinha said, "In the past all Prime Ministers have had Press conferences but Sir, you haven't had even one in your tenure of 4.5 years. Why Sir? Let's have genuine journalists without the 'Sarkari' (government) mindset and not your regular 'Raag Darbari' (King's court) clan."



The 72-year-old also questioned PM Modi over allies leaving the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and said: "Why are different people leaving us despite 'Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas' (development for all), 'Ram Janam Bhoomi' (the Ayodhya temple campaign)," he said, adding, "Let's come clean in the New Year, being bold, honest and transparent without dramatic effects."



The veteran actor wrapped up his critique urging, "as a friend, colleague and brother" to accept "this food for thought" as it is "good for you and the nation, but if you reject it then may God Bless us. Elections are around the corner, Sir. Long Live Democracy."



Smita Prakash, the editor who interviewed PM Modi, responded to Mr Sinha saying he was a hero "shotgun" and not a villain like Saamba.



"Sir if the tweet is for Modi, be the hero that you used to be and tag him no? Why are you tagging small journalists like us like a coward? You are shotgun and not a Saamba," she remarked.

With inputs from IANS