Watch PM Modi's first interview of 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first interview of 2019 spoke on BJP's defeat in assembly elections, Modi wave, demonetisation, surgical strike, Rafale deal and on host of other issues.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Modi dismissed the perception around the 2016 demonetisation scheme being a jolt to the country. He said that the scheme, which banned currency notes of the denomination of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 was "not a jhatka" (shock).

"This wasn't a jhatka. We had warned people a year before, that if you have such wealth (black money), you can deposit it, pay penalties and you will be helped out. However, they thought Modi too would behave like others so very few came forward voluntarily," he said.