Elections are like festivals, should be held together: PM Modi

Modi made the comment in an interview with Zee News on Friday.

Modi, who has been a proponent of a single poll structure, highlighted the demerits of multiple polls in the country.

He said: "Around 80 top officers of a non-polling state goes out for the election in a different state for 40-50 days. This affects the state. Moreover the overall cost of multiple elections is massive."

"Moreover it hurts the federal structure of the country. People who are the members of a party, also hold important portfolios in the government.

"During the election campaigns, political leaders get engaged into verbal onslaughts that bitter the federal terms. Later it takes time to rebuild the old terms. Election is like a festival. So I believe the Lok Sabha and all Vidhan Sabha polls should take place at the same time," he added.

After completion of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections in 2017, eight states are going to poll this year ahead of the General Election in 2019.

Modi even spoke about the developments which the BJP-led NDA government has done in the last four years.

Speaking about the works done by his government, the PM said: "LPG gas has been supplied to rural families, 18000 villages got electrified, insurance were given at 90 paisa, 18 crore poor families got insured, are they not good works?"

Though the opposition parties often allege that the PM and the BJP are sensitive to criticisms, Modi nullified such claims.

He said: "I am open to criticism. Criticism is the basis of democracy. I believe good things should be appreciated fully and the bad things must be criticised. Nowadays in the days of Google (internet), allegations come more than criticisms. Then a dearth of healthy criticism occurs." 

However, he appreciated the fact that India is debating over diverse range of issues like GDP, agriculture, industry output, market forces, international relations.

This is the third interview of Modi which went on air after becoming the Prime Minister in 2014.

Modi, who has always been seen as the chief campaigner of the BJP in state polls, said he used to work earlier also in  similar manner when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister or a party worker.

"I am for the party and the country. The country must use me to the fullest" he added.