Modi clears air on graft utterances abroad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again hit out at corruption during the previous UPA government. In an interview to a news agency, the Prime Minister lambasted the UPA government, warned people not to spread fear among the minority community and reiterated his pre-poll promise that “Ache Din” (good days) were on their way.

When asked why he made such statements abroad that ruffled feathers back home, Modi said if the Congress thought that corruption and scams during their regime were not known abroad, they were mistaken. “Congress should feel ashamed of their scams and not of their description and disclosure to others. During the past decade, an atmosphere of disappointment prevailed about India (internationally). This situation put <g data-gr-id="34">responsibility</g> on my government to change the image and perception about India,” said Modi.

When asked how would <g data-gr-id="42">he rein</g> in elements within the party, spreading hatred on communal lines, the Prime Minister refused to give a direct reply, but albeit offered a word of caution. “Some unfortunate comments have been made, which were totally uncalled for. Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom to every citizen and that is not negotiable. I have said this before and I say it again - any discrimination or violence against any community will not be tolerated. My position on this is very clear: ‘Sab ka <g data-gr-id="43">saath</g>, sab ka <g data-gr-id="44">vikas</g>’. We stand for every one of the 1.25 billion Indians regardless of caste or creed and we will work for the progress of each one of them. Every faith in our country has equal rights; it is equal not only before the law but also before society.”

Modi, who is facing Opposition’s flak on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) pre-poll promise on ‘Ache Din’, said: “While assessing the government on strict parameters, people have given us high marks. You cannot imagine what would have been the level of price rise and corruption had this government not assumed the power. Prices have come down that too in adverse weather conditions, ‘Achhe din’ have already heralded, but some people are trying to belittle and tarnish our performance,” he said.

On the Opposition’s aggressive campaign against the Land acquisition Bill, the Prime Minister said criticism against the legislation was politically motivated. He maintained that the changes made by his government corrected serious flaws in the earlier Bill. Expressing satisfaction over the performance of his government, he said there were neither any charges of corruption against the government nor any scandal.