New Delhi, January 3: Dissident BJP leader and Patna lawmaker Shatrughan Sinha continued his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, asking him to "come out clean" in the New Year by addressing at least one press conference. The 72-year-old, known as "shotgun" for his sharp statements, said Modi should take cue from all his predecessors and agree to face "candid extempore" questions.

Reviewing PM Modi's 95-minute interview with news agency ANI, Sinha said the interaction was far from "convincing". The actor-politician advised Modi to test his mantle by speaking to the likes of "NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar" or veteran editor "Vinod Dua". Modi Will Not Become Prime Minister Again: Shatrughan Sinha.

"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," Sinha said in a series of tweets.

Further lambasting the Prime Minister, Sinha said Modi should had at least answered the questions raised by his critics if he cannot face them.

"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.

"In the past all Hon'ble PMs have had Press Conferences but Sir, you haven't had even one in your tenure of 4.5 yrs. Why Sir? Let's have genuine journalists without the 'Sarkari' mindset and not your regular 'Raag Darbari' clan," Sinha added.

Taking offence to Sinha's jibe at her, ANI editor Smita Prakash said the BJP veteran should mark his dissent directly against the Prime Minister, rather than ridiculing her to take a jibe at him.

"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 said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2019 11:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).