'Jo Loota Hai Lautana Padega': PM Modi Responds To Oppn Allegations Over ED, CBI Action

In his Lok Sabha speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the relentless criticism from the Opposition leaders regarding the actions taken by central agencies like ED and CBI.

Responding to the relentless criticism from the Opposition leaders regarding the actions taken by central agencies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a pointed swipe on Monday, asserting that the crackdown by these agencies is solely directed against corruption. Addressing the Lower House of Parliament during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, the Prime Minister rebuked the opposition for their vociferous objections to the agency's actions.

"They express their anger... I understand their pain, their problem because it has hit the bull's eye (teer nishane par laga hai). The agencies are taking actions against corruption. Earlier, the entire time of the House was spent on discussing scams and corruption. There was a constant demand for action, there were only reports of corruption everywhere. Today, when action is taken against the corrupt, these people create ruckus in their support," PM Modi remarked, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Highlighting the substantial increase in cases of money laundering during his tenure, PM Modi drew a sharp contrast with the previous UPA government.

"During their (UPA) tenure, investigative agencies were used for political purposes only. Let me shed some light - Under the PMLA, we registered twice the cases than earlier. During the tenure of Congress, ED confiscated properties of Rs 5,000 crore only. However, during our tenure, the ED has confiscated properties worth Rs 1 lakh crore. You will have to shell out the plundered money...," he asserted.

PM Modi also underscored the impact of his governance on curbing corruption, stating, "It has become very difficult for middlemen to rob the poor due to our good governance. DBT, Jan Dhan account, Aadhaar, mobile... we have recognised its power. We have transferred more than Rs 30 lakh crore directly into people's accounts. Earlier, a Congress Prime Minister (Rajiv Gandhi) had said that if we send Rs 100, only 15 paise reaches the poor, but now, there is nothing like that."

He also remarked, "Jo loota hai lautaana padega (Those who looted the nation will have to pay back)."

PM Modi Hits Out At Congress Over Inflation

Criticising the previous Congress government on the issue of inflation, PM Modi contended that the grand old party has consistently fueled inflation whenever it assumed power at the Centre.

"Two songs on inflation were superhits in our country - 'Mehngai Mar Gayi' and 'Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai'. Both of these songs came during Congress' governance. Inflation was in double digits during UPA's tenure, it can't be denied. What was their government's logic? Insensitivity. They said - you can have expensive ice creams but why do you cry about inflation?...Whenever Congress came to power, it strengthened inflation," he asserted.

Underscoring his government's achievements in managing inflation despite global challenges, PM Modi concluded, "We have kept inflation under control in spite of two global wars and once in a lifetime pandemic."

Throughout his address, PM Modi criticised the Congress on various fronts, including unemployment, issues of OBC, dynastic politics, and its role as the opposition party.