Won't shy away from businessman, says PM Modi

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, slammed the Opposition for calling him a “friend of capitalists” and said that he was not afraid of meeting industrialists and capitalists because his intentions were honest. “Those who blame me of befriending industrialists are the same ones who also meet these people but behind closed doors. Mr Amar Singh is here and he very well knows who meets whom behind closed doors. Agar neeyat saaf ho to kisi ke saath khade ho, daag nahin lagta,” he said.

The Prime Minister, while referring to Mahatma Gandhi, said that the latter was never apologetic of his friendship with industrialists. “Gandhi stood with Birla without any hesitation,” he said. He said industrialists were equal partners in the development of the nation just like farmers, artisans, banker, financers, government employees and laborers and deserved to be respected.  “Inki bhi bhoomika hoti hai. Apmanit karenge? Kaun sa tariqa hai? Jo galat hain woh toh desh chhod kar chale gaye hain,” he said.

Mr Modi said that the industry’s investment in agriculture was just one per cent, which was the lowest among other countries. He said that during a recent visit to Mumbai, he met industrialists and  made a presentation before them, explaining how they could invest in agriculture to add value to the farmers produce by spending on projects which would benefit them as well as farmers.

Narendra Modi also launched 81 investment projects with over Rs 60,000 crore at a Ground Breaking Ceremony in the presence of top industrialists. The PM termed it not only as a groundbreaking event but also a record-breaking one.