New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismissed allegations by the Opposition regarding a lack of a level playing field in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In an interview with ANI, PM Modi pointed out that the laws governing institutions were established before his tenure, suggesting that the Opposition’s claims are merely attempts to preemptively justify their anticipated electoral defeat.
Additionally, countering accusations of the Enforcement Directorate’s misuse, the Prime Minister highlighted that only 3% of the agency’s cases involve political figures. He further emphasized that the ED has seized a significantly larger amount of cash in the last decade compared to previous years.
PM Modi clarified that none of the laws pertaining to bodies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or the Election Commission were formulated by his government. He highlighted that his administration had even passed a bill ensuring the inclusion of a Leader of Opposition in the three-member committee responsible for selecting the three Election Commissioners.
“In fact, we have made improvements in the Election Commission. Today, if the Election Commission is formed, then the opposition is also in it. Earlier, the Prime Minister used to sign a file and form the Election Commission. And those who were close to their families, such people became election commissioners.”
Taking a jibe at the Opposition, he said, “So our level play cannot happen, we cannot become like that. We want to go on the right path, we don’t want to go on the wrong path.”
Prime Minister Modi further said that the Opposition is creating excuses and are setting a “reasoning for their impending defeat”.
“There is a saying– Naach na jaane aangan tera (phrase literally translates to, someone who can’t dance calls the floor distorted),” PM Modi said. “That’s why sometimes they come up with excuses over EVM. Basically, they have already started setting a reasoning for their impending defeat, so the loss does not come on their side.”
Further, on being asked about the claims over Opposition leaders being jailed, the Prime Minister said, “How many opposition leaders are in jail? Can someone tell me? And are these opposition leaders only running their government?
“There is fear of paap (sin). What fear does an honest person have? They had put my Home Minister (Amit Shah) in Jail…when I was Chief Minister,” he added.
Elaborating on the investigations by ED, Prime Minister Modi said ED had attached property worth Rs 5000 crore before 2014, while in the last 10 years, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been attached.
“Out of all the cases ED has registered, only 3 per cent are against political people. 97 per cent of people are those who have nothing to do with politics. They are either drug mafia or officers who are involved in corruption, against some of the officers who have created benami assets. 97 per cent of cases are against them, and they have been sent to jail,” PM Modi said.
The 2024 general elections will be held in the country in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4.
