Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reacted to the Opposition's allegations that the Centre was misusing the Central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), stating that only 3 per cent of cases being probed by the ED were linked to those in politics.
"Of the corruption cases probed by the Enforcement Directorate, only three per cent have people associated with politics. The remaining 97 per cent of cases are linked to officials and criminals. Those who see benefits in a corrupt system are the ones who are crying foul and presenting the wrong picture," the Prime Minister told Hindustan in an exclusive interview.
He said the narratives that the Centre is only behind political corruption were false and circulated by people who are being probed by the agencies.
PM Modi said the Enforcement Directorate took action against corrupt officers and attached assets worth thousands of crores. "Before 2014, the ED attached assets worth only ₹5,000 crores, whereas in the last 10 years, that amount has increased to more than ₹1 lakh crore. Before 2014, ED had seized only ₹34 lakh in cash, while under our government it has seized more than ₹2,200 crore in cash. Imagine, if this money was invested in welfare schemes for the poor, how many people would have benefited, and how many opportunities could have been created for the youth? So many new infrastructure projects could have been launched," he said.
The Prime Minister added that even the Opposition believes that the NDA will return to power. On the apparent lack of enthusiasm among voters and no wave for the Lok Sabha polls starting from April 19, Modi said it is not the elections but the opposition camp that is dull because of their certain defeat.
"Even the opposition believes that the NDA government will return to power, which is why several opposition leaders are shying away from poll campaign. Many people have started blaming EVMs (electronic voting machines) even before the polls have begun," he said.
He added that people have had the opportunity to compare the "BJP Model" and the "Congress Model" for the first time. "The Congress ruled the country with full majority for five decades. In comparison, the BJP has served with absolute majority for only one decade. When they had full majority governments, all they did was strengthen their family. Today, when we have a majority government, our priority is to strengthen the country; villages, the poor, our farmers, and the middle-class society," he said.
He added that the masses are enthusiastic for the third term of the BJP government at the Centre. "Our workers are already in the field. Now, even citizens have taken to the streets with 'Phir Ek Baar, Modi Sarkar' slogans. When was the last time you saw something like this in the entire world, that even after 10 years of a government, the masses are engaged to reelect it to power with the same enthusiasm and absolute fervour," he said.
