On the electoral bond scheme — notified by the Modi government in 2018, it was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in February this year — the Prime Minister said, “In decision-making, we learn and improve. It is very possible to improve in this too. But today, we have completely pushed the country towards black money. And that is why I say everyone will regret it. When they think honestly, everyone will regret it.”

Data showed that the ruling BJP was the largest beneficiary of the electoral bond scheme, prompting the Opposition parties to allege that the BJP used its influence to coerce funding.

On the decision to scrap the scheme, Modi said: “There has been a discussion in our country for a long time… that black money allows for dangerous games to be played during elections. No one denies that money is spent in elections… My party also spends… All parties and all candidates spend, and this money is taken from the people. I wanted to try something… How can our elections be free from this black money? How can there be transparency for people giving donations? This was a pure thought in my mind.”

“We were looking for a way. We found a small way… never claimed this was absolute,” he said.

He said there were 16 companies which bought electoral bonds after facing money laundering cases but 63 per cent of that amount went to parties other than the BJP. “Only 37% came to the BJP… 63% went to them… and you are making allegations against us?” he asked.

He maintained that the money trail in electoral bonds has come out because of that system. “This is the success story of electoral bonds. There were electoral bonds… so you are getting a (money) trail of which company gave, how much, where. If there were no electoral bonds, how would they have found the details? Whether what happened was good or bad can be an issue of debate,” he said.

Rejecting allegations that Central agencies such as Enforcement Directorate were being misused by the BJP government, the Prime Minister said that only 3 per cent of cases were against political persons and a much higher amount of cash – from Rs 5000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore – had been seized by the agency in the last 10 years as compared to before.

“Out of all the cases ED has registered, only 3 per cent are against political people while 97% of people are those who have nothing to do with politics. They are either drug mafia or officers who are involved in corruption, against some officers who have created benami assets… 97% of cases are against them, and they have been sent to jail,” he said.

Pointing out that laws regarding the Central investigation agencies were not made during the BJP government, Modi also said his government passed a Bill that keeps a leader of the Opposition in the three member-committee to select the three Election Commissioners.

“Earlier, the Prime Minister used to sign a file and form the Election Commission. And those who were close to their families, such people became Election Commissioners… and they were later given Rajya Sabha tickets and ministries,” he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family and the Congress leadership.

“Such Election Commissioners were chosen who became Congress candidates. And that is why we cannot play at that level,” Modi said, adding that the BJP does not want to go down the wrong path.

According to him, the Opposition is creating “excuses” and “setting a reasoning for their impending defeat”.

“There is a saying: Naach na jaane aangan tedha (a bad workman blames his tools),” he said.

Modi also rejected the claim of a North-South divide in the country. He blamed the Opposition for “trying to create the divide”.

Viewing India as different units is “a result of mindlessness regarding India,” he said.

“Bharat ek bahuratna vasundhara hai. India is a country of diversity… Viewing India as different units is a result of mindlessness regarding India. Which part of India has the most number of villages associated with Lord Ram’s name? Tamil Nadu… How can you call it a separate (unit)?… There is diversity. An individual from Nagaland will not be like a person from Punjab. A person from Kashmir will not be like a Gujarati. Diversity is our strength, we should celebrate it. India is a bouquet where everyone can see their flower. That is the sentiment which should be harboured,” he said.

Asked about the Congress charge that there will be only language and one religion in India if the BJP wins 400 seats in Lok Sabha, Modi said, “I don’t understand that a person who goes to the UN and for the first time praises the oldest language of the world, Tamil… on what basis are you accusing that person? When I wear clothes from different states, they (Congress) are the ones who have a problem. They want to put the country in a singular structure…We worship diversity, we celebrate diversity… When I talk about becoming a doctor or engineer in my mother tongue, what does it mean? I am celebrating the mother tongue, I am increasing its importance.”