PM Modi’s ‘Unscripted Q&A’ in London Keeps Twitterati Guessing

While some hailed Modi’s speech, others raised eyebrows over claims of an ‘unscripted’ public interaction.

Addressing the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sab Ke Saath' event at Central Hall, Westminster in London, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the stage amidst roaring applause. Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi kickstarted the event by mentioning PM Modi’s journey from ‘a railway station to the Royal Palace’. Modi, who described himself as a sevak (servant), discussed a wide range of issues, from terrorism in Pakistan to sexual violence in India.

The tete-a-tete was followed by a reportedly unscripted interaction with the audience, where Modi tried to deliver his message with ease to a seemingly pliant diaspora crowd.

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It’s unprecedented. TIMES NOW has learnt from informed sources that PM is about to hold an unscripted interaction with Indians from around the globe via his APP and from a live audience to blunt the Opposition’s ‘Maun Modi’ jibe. Upfront at 8 PM with @RShivshankar on #PMInLondon pic.twitter.com/kxuvnZQGco

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 18, 2018

However, some people faraway, raised eyebrows over claims of an impromptu, unscripted session.

Alt News Founder Pratik Sinha was quick to pinpoint similarities between the ostensible ‘unscripted’ interview PM Modi gave to Times Now in January and his Q&A with the London audience.

This answer to an 'unscripted' question that Modiji gave in London was also given in @narendramodi's 'unscripted' interview to @TimesNow and @AltNews had fact-checked it.https://t.co/jYwpVXiBnJ

Do read. pic.twitter.com/Adl0dlkEDO

— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) April 18, 2018

Alluding to Modi’s silence on questions back in his own country, economist and Congress member Salman Anees Soz asked the PM if members of the London audience were screened in advance.

Dear PM @narendramodi: Since you don't respond to questions in India, can I please ask you only one question while you are in the UK:

Is it true that questions posed to you by the London audience have been screened in advance?

Thank you. #PMinLondon

— Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) April 18, 2018

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During the two-hour-long session, the master orator answered all questions with earnestness, but well, laced with quite a few references to himself.

Lovely performance by #PMinLondon. All questions were very tough and many answers were given by Narendra Modi by referencing someone called Narendra Modi multiple times. Seems like a great guy.

Taran Adarsh gives this a 4.5 rating, especially since Prasoon Joshi was involved.

— Meghnad (@Memeghnad) April 18, 2018

Many joked about CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi’s exemplary moderation skills so much so that it called for a “certification.”

May God give everyone an interlocutor like Prasoon Joshi.

— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) April 18, 2018

Careful @prasoonjoshi_ ! The audience will get diabetes from your sweet words for the PM (after puking).#PMInLondon #ModiInUK

— Sachin Tandon (@cugwmui) April 18, 2018

Prasoon Joshi will certify a censored version of #PMInLondon interaction ..
Oh.. wait .. That's the version you saw already .. #ROFLMAO

— Shuvankar Mukherjee (@shuvankr) April 18, 2018

Journalist Sagarika Ghose touted the event as a carefully crafted show orchestrated with a series of oblique questions which best served to keep his “magic” alive, but hardly took down the PM and his government for the current crisis in the country.

A masterfully orchestrated mega show, with the most comically disingenuous questions in UK to attempt to resurrect the "Modi magic" even as a shambolic government limps to the end of its term. Where are the serious questions on the government's record so far?

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) April 18, 2018

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Another user was not convinced with age-old homilies on development and well, said that it is safe to “run after a desert mirage” than believe in the prime ministers’ claims.

#PMInLondon
As usual, he will speak about improving the relationship and development of schemes. But nothing will happen. One can even run after a desert mirage, but should never believe in Modi.

— Amaranth (@iAmaranth22) April 18, 2018

A Twitter user going by a fake moniker of Raghuram Rajan underscored the media’s futile exercise for yet again choosing to remain indifferent to the scripted line of questioning.

All questions are scripted, Modiji has been doing this for years now. I don’t know why Media doesn’t have balls to call a spade, a spade? #PMInLondon @rahulkanwal @Nidhi @sardesairajdeep @waglenikhil @svaradarajan @sidmtweets @rohini_sgh @anjanaomkashyap @dhume @ashoswai

— Raghuram Rajan (@ArunSFan) April 18, 2018

I don’t have a problem if your show is scripted or not.Problem is with your dishonesty of planting questions,vetting audience , repeating questions & putting up a farce of an unscripted event

If you lie to 1.2 billion ppl about your PR events imagine other lies u are spinning

— Sid (@sidmtweets) April 19, 2018

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