Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Opposition’s personal attacks, stating that after enduring continuous abuse for 24 years, he has become gaali-proof (immune to abuses). In an exclusive interview with ANI, PM Modi remarked that the Opposition parties have become so frustrated that abusing him has become their nature.
“As far as Modi is concerned, after being continuously abused for the last 24 years, I have become ‘gaali-proof’. Who called me the ‘maut ka saudaagar’ (merchant of death) and ‘gandi naali ka keeda’ (creature from a dirty drain)? Our party member in the parliament did the calculation and counted 101 abuses. Whether there is an election or not, these people (the Opposition) believe they have the right to abuse and have become so frustrated that now abusing has become their nature,” he said, responding to a query about personal attacks against him.
PM Modi, who served as Chief Minister of Gujarat before becoming Prime Minister in 2014, also addressed allegations from Opposition leaders about the misuse of probe agencies to suppress them. He emphasised his government’s commitment to zero tolerance towards corruption.
“Ask the person who is throwing this garbage, what is the proof of what you are saying? I will convert this garbage into manure and will produce some good things for the country from it. When Manmohan Singh was in power for 10 years, Rs 34 lakh were seized; currently, in the last 10 years, ED has seized Rs 2,200 crore. The one who has brought back Rs 2,200 crore to the country should be respected and not abused. The one whose money has been taken is abusing. It means that whoever has a part in stealing money will shout a little after being caught. Today, a Sarpanch has the right to sign a chequebook, but the Prime Minister of the country does not have it. The Modi Government has told its officers that my government has zero tolerance towards corruption,” he said.
PM Modi challenged the Opposition to provide proof of their allegations of interference in the functioning of central probe agencies and reiterated that his government does not interfere with their work.
When asked about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s allegation that PM Modi decides who will go to jail, the Prime Minister responded, “It would be better if these people read the Constitution, read the law of the country. I do not need to say anything to anyone.”
