Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has defended PM Narendra Modi's communication style, stating that the Prime Minister has conducted more interviews than any predecessor, despite claims of avoiding the media.

  • Kiren Rijiju defended PM Modi's media engagement strategy.
  • Claimed PM Modi has given more interviews than any previous Prime Minister.
  • Described traditional press conferences as a mere 'formality.'
  • Accused opposition parties of intentionally disrupting Parliament.
  • Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, has strongly refuted allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoids the media. In a recent interaction, Rijiju asserted that the Prime Minister has participated in more interviews over the years than any other Prime Minister in Indian history, challenging the prevailing narrative that he shuns journalistic engagement.

    Addressing the perception that the PM maintains a distance from the press, Rijiju questioned why such a narrative is being pushed despite the extensive one-on-one interactions the Prime Minister has had with various media outlets. He argued that the portrayal of the PM as 'media-shy' is factually incorrect and politically motivated.

    Why This Matters

    BozokMedia analysis shows that this debate highlights a fundamental shift in political communication. The current administration is moving away from the traditional 'Press Conference' model toward a 'Targeted Engagement' model, focusing on direct interaction with specific demographics like students, scientists, and athletes to bypass perceived media biases.

    Press conferences are merely a formality; the Prime Minister prefers direct connection with the people.

    Drawing from his experience as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Rijiju highlighted the challenges faced by leaders during organized media campaigns. He suggested that when a leader is aware of coordinated attempts to bias public perception, engaging in traditional press conferences can become counterproductive, leading to a preference for more controlled, direct modes of communication.

    Rijiju pointed out that the Prime Minister's engagement is not absent but redirected. He cited the PM's regular interactions with ISRO scientists, his annual 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' sessions with students, and his consistent outreach to athletes before and after major international competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games as evidence of his active communication style.

    Did You Know?: Prime Minister Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' has become a global benchmark for direct, empathetic communication between a head of state and the student community.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q1: Why doesn't PM Modi hold regular press conferences?
    A: According to Kiren Rijiju, the PM prefers direct engagement with citizens and specific groups over the formality of traditional press conferences.

    Q2: What was Rijiju's stance on the Parliament session?
    A: He accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of deciding to disrupt Parliament proceedings despite the government's attempts at dialogue.