PM Modi Says Pak Minister's 'Endorsement' Of Rahul, Kejriwal ‘Calls For Probe’. Slams Support To Corrupt

PM Modi expressed concern over Pakistani 'endorsements' of Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal during the Lok Sabha elections. He also slammed "support" to corrupt individuals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern over recent 'endorsements' from Pakistani politicians for Indian leaders Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He asserted that Indian voters are mature and resilient, and cannot be swayed by external influences. In an exclusive interview with news agency IANS, PM Modi emphasised India's robust democratic values and electoral traditions, noting that any external provocation warrants serious attention and investigation.

"This is Bharat’s election. India is a mature democracy, which boasts of rich and well-established electoral principles and traditions. India’s voters, too are mature in their thoughts and can’t be influenced by any external factor. I don’t understand why some select group of people, apparently those who harbour animosity against us, get endorsements from Pakistan... why voices of support emanate from there, for certain individuals.," he remarked. "This is a grave matter and calls for an investigation. I think I shouldn’t comment on such issues, given the position I hold, but I do understand your concern."

The remarks come after Pakistani politician Fawad Chaudhry praised Rahul Gandhi for his critical stance against the Modi government, and later expressed support for Arvind Kejriwal, wishing for peace and harmony in India. These endorsements were met with sharp reactions from the BJP back home. The BJP labelled it as a clear case of 'Congress dalliance with Pakistan,' while Kejriwal himself condemned the interference, stating that India will not tolerate meddling from sponsors of terrorism.

‘Those Who Once Demanded That Sonia Ji Be Jailed, Are Now…’: Modi’s Dig At Kejriwal

In the interview with IANS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi elaborated on his government's relentless campaign against corruption, highlighting the significant steps taken to eradicate it. Addressing public frustration, he compared corruption to termites that hollow out the system from within.

"The people of the country are fed up with corruption. Much like termites, corruption is making the system hollow from the inside, and people have raised their voices against it on multiple occasions," said PM Modi, as quoted by IANS. 

He recounted how corruption was a key issue during the 2013-2014 poll campaign, which garnered significant public outrage, "Before the 2019 elections, we were questioned over our stand and action on graft and why the government was not quick on punishing the perpetrators. Our outright response was that independent agencies will act against them and it will be done based on facts. Officials worked hard to gather the facts and today, big players are being caught and brought to justice. Today, when the big fish are being caught, questions are being raised by vested interests."

Responding to criticisms over the government's pace in punishing corrupt individuals, Modi defended the thorough process of gathering facts before taking action. "It’s difficult to understand what is the motive of the Khan Market Gang and why it is framing such narratives to save the criminals from facing the law. It is the Independent investigative agency which apprehends the accused and it’s the judiciary which decides on conviction or trial. The Prime Minister has no role in this," he remarked.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over "support" to corrupt individuals, contrasting it with the past when people distanced themselves from those tainted by corruption. "Earlier, people used to stay miles away from the convicted or even those with any corruption taint but today there is a tendency to support and rally behind them. The same people who cried foul over no action on big-ticket players are today protesting against it," he observed, urging the media to seek public opinion on the issue.

"Those who once demanded that Sonia ji be jailed, are now shouting?" he commented in a dig at Kejriwal.

Upon assuming office, PM Modi said his administration focused on identifying systemic faults and eliminating them. He stressed the importance of policy-driven governance with clear guidelines to minimise grey areas that could be exploited for corrupt practices. "When the policy is laid out in black and white, the grey area is brought down to minimal levels, reducing the scope for any discrimination," he noted.

The Prime Minister highlighted that a cornerstone of this anti-corruption drive has been ensuring 100 per cent delivery of schemes to intended beneficiaries. By guaranteeing that people receive the benefits they are entitled to, the government aims to close loopholes that could be exploited by corrupt elements. "The saturation of schemes gives a guarantee for corruption-free governance and social security," PM Modi asserted, as quoted by IANS.

Another significant thrust has been the maximisation of technology in government schemes to enhance efficiency and transparency. PM Modi highlighted the direct transfer of approximately Rs 38 lakh crore into beneficiaries' accounts, bypassing middlemen who historically siphoned off a substantial portion of funds. "In earlier regimes, small players faced the law for corruption, while big fish escaped. Our policy has been zero-tolerance on corruption and action based on facts and evidence," he explained.