Meet political leaders more often from all sides: Naidu tells Modi

NEW DELHI: Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should more often meet political leadership from all sides which may help clear some "misunderstandings" opposition parties might have about his methods.

Naidu, speaking at the launch of a book on the prime minister's speeches, lauded him for achievements across diverse sectors such as healthcare, foreign policy, technology, and asserted the world was now recognising the rise of India.

"India is now a force to reckon with, its voice is now heard across the world. In such a short span, it is not an ordinary thing. This is because of his actions, because of the guidance he is giving to the people and because of progress that India is making, Naidu said after releasing the book titled "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas Prime Minister Narendra Modi Speaks (May 2019-May 2020)".

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur and I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra were also present at the function.

Naidu said that despite the prime minister's achievements, some sections still have some reservations about his methods "because of some misunderstandings, maybe out of some political compulsions".

"Over a period of time these misunderstandings will also be cleared. The prime minister should also often meet more and more sections of the political leadership this side and that side," the former vice president said.

At the same time, Naidu said political parties should also keep an open mind and respect the mandate of the people.

"They must also be open-minded .. you all should also understand that you are rivals not enemies. All parties must respect each other, the institution of the prime minister, institution of the president, institution of the chief minister. All institutions should be respected that has to be kept in mind by one and all," Naidu said.

Khan lauded the prime minister for enacting a law to ban the practice of triple talaq among Muslims.

He said even first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had said his biggest regret was that he could not make laws to alleviate the problems faced by Muslim women.

"Nehru could not take the bold decision to deliver justice to Muslim women. Modi dared to do it. We will understand the importance of this decision only decades later, Khan said.

Thakur said the book, brought out by the Publications Division, focuses on 86 speeches of the prime minister on various subjects.

It is divided into 10 thematic areas Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Economy, People-First Governance, Fight Against COVID-19, Emerging India: Foreign Affairs, Jai Kisan, Tech India-New India, Green India-Resilient India-Clean India, Fit India-Efficient India, Eternal India-Modern India: Cultural Heritage, and Mann ki Baat.