PM Modi Opens Up On Central Agency Raids, Electoral Bond Data, BJP-AIADMK Breakup In Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about several pertinent matters and allegations such as regarding Electoral bond data and central raids on Opposition leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha Election 2024.

File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Source : PIB

Ahead of the Lok Sabha Election 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview responded to several pertinent matters and allegations such as with respect to Electoral bonds and central raids on Opposition leaders. He also spoke about the BJP's vision for Tamil Nadu and the 400 target set for the ruling NDA. The Prime Minister also opened up on the AIADMK severing ties with the NDA while ruing the "politicisation" of the Tamil language in a reference to the southern state's Dravidian parties.

In an interview with Tamil channel Thanthi TV, PM Narendra Modi addressed the Opposition allegations of running a "pro-corporate" government, he remarked, "If you look at Congress tenure, there was a narrative regarding 'Tata -Birla sarkaar' from the Opposition. It is a disease and intellectual bankruptcy, living in this leftist narrative. The Congress party which faced these abuses, is now delivering the same." He highlighted government steps such as free ration to 80 crore Indians, opening bank accounts for the poor, and making 11 crore toilets.

PM Modi On Central Agency Raids, Electoral Bond Data

Regarding the central agency raids on Opposition leaders, he highlighted, "ED is an independent agency. Out of 7,000 ED cases, only 3% per cent are cases related to politicians". Citing examples of seizures from Opposition leaders, he said people want the money to be recovered. "Give me any example where cases (against BJP leaders) have been closed... The courts are being used as a tool to stop the ED from working with thousands of cases filed against PMLA," he remarked.

"Ordinary citizens understand that corruption has hampered the country's growth... Rallies are being conducted to save those accused of corruption. Their those whose matra is 'Bhrashtachari bachao' (Save the corrupt) while Modi's mantra is to remove corruption," he added.

PM Modi stressed that Tamil Nadu is facing a drug menace and the ED is acting against it. "Should our children not be saved from drugs? The ED is acting against money laundering in such cases," he said. The remark can be seen in the light of the BJP targeting the DMK following a recent arrest of the party's ex-functionary in an NCB case. 

On the Electoral bond data, PM Modi rejected the notion that it was a "setback" for the BJP. "Before 2014, parties would have spent money for the elections, which agency can track where that money came from. Modi made an electoral bond scheme due to which you can track where the money came from, now you can find a trail. No system is perfect, the flaws can be rectified."

Prime Minister Modi remarked that it is the country's electorate that has "decided" the 400-seat target for the NDA in the Lok Sabha election 2024 recognising the need for political stability. He also said his goal was fixed on 2047 to ensure a developed India.

PM Modi Rues 'Politicisation' Of Tamil Language, Quips 'Thankfully, Idli And Dosa Were Not Politicised'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted his connection with Tamil Nadu which he said span five decades in various roles and capacities. He mentioned the period of Emergency and he visited the southern state for coordination work, Ekta Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and party coordination work. Speaking about a memory related to TN that has touched him, he said, "An elderly 90-year-old woman from the family of freedom fighter Kumaran came and blessed me in Erode (during the Ekta Yatra)."

"I don't think we should look at Tamil Nadu in a fragmented way, we should see it in its entirety. I am angry that we have done injustice to this great civilisation... India has a language that is thousands of years old which is the world's richest language but we do not express it to the world," he remarked, adding that he tries to learn the language.

"I resolved to speak Tamil in the UN, I wanted to tell the world that Tamil is the oldest language. It is such a rich civilisation, it should have been celebrated," he told Thanthi TV.

PM Modi rued the "politicisation" of the language and quipped, "Thankfully, Idli and dosa were not politicised, it would have been limited to Tamil Nadu, but it is readily available all over... Tamil language should be spread across the world. It has been appropriated by politicisation which has harmed the Tamil language and the country."

Regarding his favourite Tamil food, he said he enjoys Upma and Pongal.

Highlighting the placement of Sengol in the new Parliament building, PM Modi remarked, "The first moment of India's independence is associated with the Sengol. The saints (Adheenams) of Tamil Nadu gave Sengol as a mark of transfer of power. But maybe due to lack of faith, it was placed in an Allahabad museum and labeled as a walking stick."

"When I researched about it, I decided that the Sengol would be placed in the New parliament building. We ensured that we developed a protocol and it was established before the President's address. The country should remember the first moment of the Independence... It is unfortunate that Tamil politicians boycotted the session. If Tamil politicians don't take pride in the Tamil culture and history, it will cause great loss," he added. 

He dismissed the allegations of PM Modi trying to appease Tamil voters for elections and said that his focus on the state and its culture is about strengthening the country. When asked about whether he is mulling contesting the Lok Sabha election from the southern state, he stressed that he is a "disciplined soldier" of the party and does as directed. 

PM Modi On BJP's Tamil Nadu Challenge 

PM Modi spoke about the 'Viksit Bharat' vision and emphasised the federal structure of the country. "Our vision should be to build developed states to make a developed country. All people of Tamil Nadu will have to work diligently towards it. Tamil Nadu is so powerful that it can be the biggest driving force of this mission."

He highlighted the contribution of Tamil Nadu to manufacturing, defence, and technology.

When asked about the DMK-ruled state being a tough nut for the BJP to crack politically, PM Modi criticised "outdated theories" and said, "Why will do everything only to earn votes? This kind of thinking does not fit me. I am working only for the country's glorious future... If I was working only for votes, I would do nothing for Northeast. I have alone gone to the northeast region more number of times than other prime ministers combined."

"Please don't think that my visits are driven by a political agenda," he told Thanthi TV.

PM Modi On Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai, AIADMK-NDA Breakup

On Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai, PM Modi said, "My party's four generations are working to spread the BJP and Jan Sangh's ideology in Tamil Nadu... Annamalai has left behind a bright career to join the BJP. If he wanted to serve personal ambitions, he could have joined the DMK and AIADMK. There's a caste base for him, he is articulate and youth, but he chose the BJP because he prioritises the country's wellbeing and Tamil Nadu's contribution."

The Prime Minister was asked about the AIADMK severing ties with the BJP-led NDA. He said, "Since 1995, I had cordial and friendly relations with 'Amma' Jayalalithaa. When I became Chief Minister in 2002 and was facing several allegations, she still came to be oath ceremony in Gujarat. There is no reason for us to regret, it should be AIADMK regretting (their decision)."

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election 2024, PM Modi lauded the NDA in the southern state as representing a bouquet representing various communities. "The NDA is getting a positive vote which is very powerful. In our 10-year tenure, we were able to address youth aspirations, prioritising women and farmers, and ensure grassroots benefits for the poor. This is why there is a pro-BJP mood in Tamil Nadu."

He termed the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration as an emotional moment and said he was immersed in a spiritual environment. He mentioned his 11-day Anushthan ahead of the big event, spending time in places associated with Lord Ram in southern India. "When I looked at the idol, my eyes were transfixed his feet and eyes... It felt like Ramlalla was saying India's golden period has arrived. I could see the dreams of 140 crore Indians in his eyes," he commented.

Regarding the timing of the event, he emphasised that the Temple was built as per a Supreme Court decision, "Maybe the timing was decided by God because everything went on sequentially." PM Modi dismissed a section of leaders' notion that the enthusiasm for the event was restricted to North India and said Tamil Nadu has perhaps most villages named after Ram, "Should we call it their ignorance? It means they do not know Tamil Nadu."