PM criticises media, says has pre-set agenda during interviews

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today critical of the media as he charged it with having a pre-set agenda in mind while asking questions saying the interviewer often leads the person interviewed to give an answer he wants.

"In interviews, this is our experience. We have to reply at every roundabout and nook and corner. In most of the interviews, the person asking questions has already decided on the answers. He will not let you go unless you give him the answer he wants. Once you have given the answer they want, they lose interest in you," he said.

Modi was addressing a gathering to mark 21 years of popular TV show 'Aap ki Adalat' hosted by senior journalist Rajat Sharma on India TV. President Pranab Mukherjee was also present on the occasion.

Appreciating the show, he said this is one place where the "accused" is not led into answering something pre-decided.

"It is not required to force people to answer the way you want," he said. President Mukherjee also lauded the show saying 125 crore Indians have appointed Sharma as their "public prosecutor". "Please do not change your role," he said.

BJP President Amit Shah, Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Smriti Irani were among those present. Former Union ministers Kamal Nath, Sushilkumar Shinde and Salman Khurshid were also there and joined by bigwigs from all walks of life including Bollywood famous Khan troika Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh.