New Delhi, March 29: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first television interview, dared opposition parties to debate with him on employment and development works that his government has done. PM Narendra Modi challenged opposition parties in response to the question that he was diverting public attention from real issues by talking about air strikes in Pakistan's Balakot.

"We can debate on the gas connections provided, house built and bank accounts opened with the Opposition. When I speak on progress, they change the topic and pick other issues. We are the government that works 24 hours and these are issues that matter to us but they keep talking about the same thing over and over again," PM Modi said in the interview to Republic Bharat. In response to a question about allegations in connection with the Pulwama terror attack, PM Modi said his patriotism cannot be questioned. Congress Sat on Rafale Deal, Eyeing Kickbacks, Says Narendra Modi at Rally in Rudrapur.

"Opposition is habitual of making personal attacks. Nobody can question my patriotism. My entire life is proof. The nation should be worried if some party's leadership calls the Pulwama terror attack an inside job. If they are sure of what they are blaming us for, they can go ahead with this as their agenda for the polls," PM Modi said. The prime minister said he was monitoring the air strikes in Balakot because soldiers' lives were at stake. Shatrughan Sinha Targets PM Narendra Modi, Says 'Clarify on Rafale Deal or People Will Say Chowkidar Chor Hai'.

"It is my behaviour, where there is a risk to the jawans of India, I'm constantly involved it. There is no expectation from their end, but I could not sleep and I was aware of what was happening," PM Modi said on Balakot air strikes. On being asked about action against Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said the legal system was taking appropriate steps.

"In India, there is a proper system of law. Congress has received a number of notices from the Court, but they take their own sweet time to respond. If we had to take the political route, we could have but we cannot and we have to ensure we follow the judicial system and it will the investigation is working at the right pace," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2019 08:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).