SAN JOSE, Sept 28:
In a veiled attack on UPA regime on corruption and taking a swipe at the Congress President’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there were allegations of politicians and their families making crores of rupees while his government has no graft charge.
“In our country it doesn’t take much for allegations to come up against politicians… Someone made 50 crores, someone’s son made 250 crores, (someone’s) daughter made 500 crores, (someone’s) damaad (son-in-law) made 1000 crores,” Modi said.
Some cousins took contracts and some got flats in the past, he said while addressing the Indian community at the packed SAP Centre in San Jose, California.
Dramatically pausing after saying “damaad”, Modi went on to assert that there are no allegations of corruption against his government.
“Aren’t you sick of all of this? Aren’t you angry? My countrymen, I am standing in your midst. Is there any allegation against me?” he asked as the audience responded back with a “No”.
While Modi’s reference to sons and daughters of politicians being corrupt is seen as a reference to culture of corruption in the country, the reference to son-in-law is seen as a barb at alleged land deals entered into by Vadra with the some state governments.
Modi has come under attack for making controversial statements during his visits abroad.
During his German visit, Modi had said that India was “begging earlier and will not beg any more”, evoking sharp criticism from Congress and some other parties.
In Canada, he triggered another controversy by stating that before he became the Prime Minister, it was “scam India” and he inherited filth and corruption.
On his maiden visit to China as Prime Minister in May, he had claimed that people had at one point of time had considered it as “misfortune” to be born in India and ashamed to be called an Indian.
Last month in the UAE, Modi had said, “I have got some problems in legacy… Some things were stalled due to the indecisiveness and lethargy of the governments (in the last)… It is my priority to kickstart those things”.
While Congress has rubbished his remarks, Modi has remained unfazed by such criticism.
“I want to assure you that I will live and die for this
country,” Modi said amid applause from the Indian-Americans.
He then told the crowd that he is giving every minute of his life in the service of the nation.
Modi said after 16 months of his government, he wanted to have a certificate from the audience.
“Today, after 16 months, I want a certificate from you. Have I kept my promise? Am I working hard, day and night?” he asked.
He said that in this highly connected world, Indians living in the US are fully aware of the ground realties in India and they know even better those back home. (PTI)
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