Never Counted My Election Victories, But People Kept Blessing Me: PM Modi On Lex Fridman Podcast

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi , in an interview with renowned podcaster Lex Fridman, spoke about India’s massive electoral process, governance philosophy, and dedication to democracy. He highlighted that 980 million people registered for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a number larger than the population of North America and Europe combined.

“My Idea of Governance is People-Centric”

PM Modi emphasized that his approach to governance is focused on the people and ensuring that welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries. He stated that trust is the cornerstone of his governance model and that no one should face discrimination based on caste, faith, or ideology.

"My government is committed to ensuring welfare schemes reach every citizen. Every scheme must reach its intended beneficiaries. No one should face discrimination based on caste, creed, faith, wealth, or ideology," he said.

Also Read: 'Criticism Is the Soul of Democracy, I Welcome It': PM Modi in Lex Fridman Podcast

India’s Electoral Process: A Model for the World

PM Modi praised the Election Commission of India for conducting free and fair elections, describing it as an institution worth studying globally. He noted that 646 million people voted despite extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some regions.

"Anyone who believes in democracy should listen to what I'm about to share. There were 980 million registered voters in the 2024 general elections. This number is twice the population of North America and even surpasses the total population of the European Union," he said.

PM Modi also highlighted how polling stations were set up even in the most remote areas, using helicopters for transportation. He cited an example from Gujarat ’s Gir Forest, where an entire polling booth was set up for just one voter.

"Even the remotest villages have polling stations. We even use helicopters to transport polling stations. In Gujarat, a polling booth was set up in the Gir Forest for just one voter, who was in the middle of nowhere, but we ensured they had the right to vote," he added.

India’s Political and Media Landscape

Emphasizing India’s vibrant democracy, PM Modi revealed that the country has more than 2,500 registered political parties and over 900 round-the-clock news channels.

"This staggering figure, with such a vast array of political parties, has the power to leave the world in awe. My country has over 5,000 newspapers published daily. They each play a role in upholding democracy in their own way," he stated.

Also Read: Dialogues And Not Battlefields Bring War Solutions: PM Modi’s Message To Zelenskyy, Putin

“I Am Not the Most Hard-Working Person, Farmers Work Harder Than Me”

When asked about his personal work ethic, PM Modi humbly said that he does not consider himself the hardest-working person, acknowledging the immense efforts of farmers and workers across India.

"I am not the most hard-working person. Farmers work harder than me," he admitted.

Global Recognition for India’s Electoral System

PM Modi suggested that universities across the world should study the Indian Election Commission to understand how such a vast democracy functions smoothly. He reiterated that India's election process is one of the largest and most transparent in the world.

The podcast with Lex Fridman offered deep insights into India’s governance, democracy, and electoral strength, reinforcing India's position as the world's largest democracy.