Overwhelmed by emotions, PM Narendra Modi held back his tears during a speech in Goa on Sunday and said that he was voted by the people of the country to fight corruption. Taking a sip of water to collect himself, he said that he left his family and home for the nation.

This was the Prime Minister’s first ever public address in India after the demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. 

Speaking on the currency ban which has stunned the nation, the Prime Minister said that it was key step to help the honest citizen of India defeat the menace of black money. 

Commenting further on the inconvenience faced by the common man due to the bold move, the PM said that he understands people’s problems and their pain. 

In an emotional appeal, he urged the “honest” people of the country to bear with the temporary hardships for another 50 days. 

 “If I commit any mistake, I am ready to face any punishment the country will give me. But I promise to deliver a corruption-free India,” PM Modi said.

The prime minister added that it was everyone’s duty to report about money that was “looted” in India and sent abroad.

Attacking the previous government, he blamed them for neglecting the issue of black money.

“If you asked me to defeat the menace of black money, how can I not do it? The previous government was delaying it,” PM said.

He also took a jibe at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who stood in queue at an SBI bank branch in New Delhi, saying that even those involved in a number of scams were forced to stand in line to withdraw Rs 4,000. 

The PM was speaking at the inauguration of the electronic city project in Tuem, North Goa. He also laid the foundation stone of Mopa Greenfield airport. During his speech, he also lauded Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for ushering in a political culture in Goa and taking the state to new heights of progress when he was the Chief Minister of the state.

Watch the full speech here: