Modi urges media to debate on simultaneous polls

Prime Minister Narenra Modi on Thursday urged media to encourage debate on constructive subjects like simultaneous elections for the state assemblies and parliament.

"It appears, there is a halt in debate on some issues, and if media plays its role in carrying forward the debate, it would be good," Modi told journalists at the Diwali Mangal Milan programme at the BJP headquarters here.

On the issue of simultaneous elections, the Prime Minister said that leaders of almost all political parties "privately say that something must be done".

Modi said several politicians had often hesitated to speak on the issue after he raised it publicly. He, however, maintained that "such hesitation will prevail for some time, but notwithstanding such dilemma, the public discourse should continue."

The Prime Minister said issues like the code of conduct and deployment of poll observers needed to be debated on as various questions are raised on these matters.

"Often, election observers are deputed for two months, and even the states where elections are not held have to spare their officials," Modi said.

The Prime Minister complimented the media for its role in propagating the message of cleanliness.

"The success of Swachhata Mission can be attributed to the role of the media," he said.

Senior party leaders, including Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, union ministers Arun Jaitley, Manohar Parrikar and J.P. Nadda also attended the programme.

--IANS

rak-nd/rn/vt