Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Dum Dum on Friday evening after inaugurating three Kolkata Metro extension projects, launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and other opposition parties over corruption and their opposition to the Constitution (130th) Amendment Bill.
Modi strongly defended the provisions of the amendment bill, tabled in the Lok Sabha two days ago, which brings bureaucrats, ministers, chief ministers and even the Prime Minister under its purview.
“If a government employee is arrested for even a few hours, he will have to be suspended automatically. No matter how small an employee he is. He can also be a driver. Bureaucrats, ministers and Prime Minister will be brought under the new provision of law. Can a Chief Minister or Prime Minister enjoy the taste of power even while sitting in jail?” Modi asked.
Without naming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he remarked, “We have seen that a Chief Minister is signing government files sitting inside the jail cells. If this is the mindset of a leader, then how will the fight against corruption continue?”
The Prime Minister accused the TMC and the INDIA bloc parties of obstructing the bill. He alleged that the opposition was protecting corruption instead of working in the interest of the people.
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“There is no accounting for the amount of corruption that has taken place here. The money sent by the Centre is not reaching the hands of the common people. It is being looted before that. The money for the development of the people is being spent on TMC cadres,” Modi said.
He also condemned TMC MPs for tearing up the bill in the Lok Sabha, saying it reflected the party’s dependence on corrupt practices. Without naming jailed former education minister Partha Chatterjee, he said, “Heaps of money were recovered from the houses of a minister and he was in the state cabinet for days even after being arrested. TMC leaders are tearing the paper of the bill in the Lok Sabha. It reflects how the party’s foundation is standing on the politics of corruption. In fact, the TMC is scared.”
The Prime Minister underlined that his government was committed to protecting the dignity of the Constitution.
“I cannot see the honor and dignity of the Constitution being disrespected and torn to pieces. That is why the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and ministers have also been included in this law. If this law is implemented, those arrested on corruption charges will have to get bail within 30 days. Otherwise, his seat will also go after 31 days,” Modi said.
He further added that once the bill is implemented, the government would move forward with the caste census and ensure that infiltrators do not deprive Indians of jobs.
The rally was held at Dum Dum, once the constituency of late BJP Union Minister Tapan Sikdar. In his 39-minute speech, Modi directly targeted the TMC government in Bengal and linked the Congress, TMC, Left and AAP together in what he described as a common front resisting anti-corruption measures.
“If corruption has to be fought, then it is important to take rational decisions behind it. Therefore, no one should be exempted in the fight against corruption,” he concluded.
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