Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed on Saturday that both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are diligently fulfilling their duties, emphasizing that no obstacles should impede their operations.
Addressing queries in an interview with the Malayalam news channel Asianet, broadcasted on Saturday, the Prime Minister responded to allegations from the Opposition accusing the government of "misusing" investigative agencies and targeting opposition figures.
During recent campaign events in Kerala, PM Modi criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI-M for alleged corruption, asserting that appropriate measures would be taken against those found guilty.
Drawing an analogy, PM Modi likened the role of the ED and CBI in probing corruption to that of ticket-checkers inspecting train tickets, stressing the importance of allowing them to carry out their tasks unhindered. He underscored that, despite holding the position of Prime Minister, he refrains from interfering in the agencies' operations.
In a separate rally in Kerala, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to holding corrupt individuals accountable, attributing the state's financial woes to what he described as mismanagement by the ruling government.
During the Asianet interview, PM Modi emphasized that criticism should be directed towards the central agencies if they fail to fulfill their responsibilities, rather than questioning their diligent execution of duties, as has been the focus of the Opposition.
Providing statistical insights, the Prime Minister highlighted a significant increase in the number of cases pursued by the ED, citing a rise from 1,800 cases before 2014 to over 5,000 presently, as indicative of the agency's enhanced efficiency.
It's worth noting that during a prior interview aired last week, PM Modi commended the ED for its efforts in combating black money and corruption over the past decade, dismissing allegations of the BJP leveraging central agencies to stifle dissent from opposition figures.
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