The Supreme Court's decision to reinstate CBI Director Alok Verma comes as a huge setback to the Narendra Modi government, giving the opposition a chance to intensify its attacks on the ruling dispensation over alleged muzzling of institutions. The decision is crucial for the opposition as it comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The principal opposition party, the Congress, described the Supreme Court verdict reinstating Verma as a “slap on the policies and decisions of the Modi government.” “It is now clear that the BJP and Narendra Modi are both anti-Constitution,” said Randeep Surjewala, head of the AICC Communications Department. Surjewala also demanded that Modi apologise to the people of the country.
“He (Modi) is the first prime minister who has decisively decimated the competence as also the independence of the CVC. Not only this, four economic advisers of the government and two RBI governors had to make an unceremonious exit on account of the autocratic policies of Prime Minister Modi. Four sitting SC judges, for the first time, had to come out to say that they are disturbed by the lack of investigation into the death of Judge Loya,” Surjewala said.
The Supreme Court's decision on Alok Verma also prompted the Congress and other parties to rake up the issue of alleged corruption in the Rafale deal. Opposition leaders reiterated their claim that the Modi government's decision to remove Verma from the post was taken as he was about to begin an investigation into the alleged scam in the purchase of Rafale fighter jets.
The truth of Rafale will destroy Mr Modi. It’s only a question of time before full evidence of his role in the theft of 30,000 Cr. becomes public.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 8, 2019
Congratulations to the SC for upholding the law.#AlokVerma
“Nothing is going to save the prime minister from Rafale,” reacted Congress president Rahul Gandhi, claiming that Verma was removed since he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale deal, and noting that he was now reinstated. Gandhi also tweeted, “The truth of Rafale will destroy Mr Modi. It’s only a question of time before full evidence of his role in the theft of 30,000 Cr. becomes public...”
SC reinstating CBI director Alok Verma is a direct indictment of the PM. Modi govt has ruined all institutions and democracy in our country. Wasn't CBI director illegally removed at midnight to stall the probe in Rafale scam which directly leads to PM himself?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 8, 2019
“SC reinstating CBI Director Alok Verma is a direct indictment of the PM. Modi govt has ruined all institutions and democracy in our country. Wasn't CBI Director illegally removed at midnight to stall the probe in Rafale scam which directly leads to the PM himself?,” tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Supreme Court's decision was a direct indictment of Modi and his office. He said Modi should quit as prime minister, taking the responsibility for the “blatantly illegal act”.
Suggestions have also been made by Modi's critics that the reinstatement of Verma could result in a CBI probe into the Rafale purchase. It is being suggested that the restriction imposed by the Supreme Court that Verma cannot take any policy decisions as CBI director till the high-powered committee decided on his status does not preclude him from initiating a new investigation or supervising an ongoing one.
