In contradiction to the assertions made by the opposing faction, Minister Anurag Thakur asserted on Thursday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) operate autonomously, detached from any affiliations with the BJP.
During the discourse at the Times Now Summit, Thakur underscored that “no imputations of impropriety can be leveled against Modi ji within this decade. In the year 2013, Kejriwal was vocal about his solemn vow to abstain from political endeavors and eschew alignment with the Congress. The duo, Congress and AAP, lack individual accomplishments, resorting solely to vilifying Modi ji persistently. The more vehement their censure of PM Modi, the more resounding the electoral endorsements we receive,” he articulated.
“The summonses extended to Arvind Kejriwal by the ED numbered nine, yet he failed to honor them. He had preached about the sanctity of morality. Upon his noncompliance, the ED ventured to his residence. Just as AAP was rendered ineffectual in Delhi during 2014 and 2019, their electoral prospects in Punjab shall similarly dwindle,” he appended.
Furthermore, the Information and Broadcasting Minister spotlighted that those erstwhile champions of morality now find themselves behind bars. “ED and CBI operate independently, executing their mandates unfettered. This is extraneous to our affairs,” Thakur iterated.
In a further onslaught against the INDIA bloc, Anurag Thakur asseverated that the INDI coalition is entrenched in conceit and hubris. “If their integrity were beyond reproach, why the need for a rebrand? The litany of scandals including the 2G, submarine, and coal scams rendered them untenable before the electorate. Subsequently, they sought refuge in the company of Lalu Yadav, embroiled in the fodder scandal, whose party members occupy jail cells,” he appended.
He reiterated that the investigatory bodies are duty-bound to pursue corruption relentlessly, affirming their unwavering commitment to this cause. Thakur emphasized that the temporal aspect is inconsequential when combating corruption.
“Does the temporal dimension hold relevance in combating corruption? In a nation where elections abound across eight states in a single annum, we advocate for One Nation One Election, a measure that could yield substantial fiscal savings, yet they oppose it,” he contended.
Reflecting on the inquiry into the 2G imbroglio, he alleged that the then UPA government afforded sanctuary to A Raja and his cohorts implicated in the scandal. Should the requisite authorization be granted, a transparent investigation and lawful action are assured.
“We exhibited fortitude, hence the inception of electoral bonds. Had our motives been dubious, why embark on such an initiative? Despite commanding 303 parliamentary seats and governing 18 states, our coffers received a modest sum of Rs 6000 crore in donations. Conversely, TMC presides over a solitary state yet garnered donations amounting to 16,000 crores,” he concluded.
