NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday rejected allegations of vendetta and insisted there are no instructions from his government for conducting probe against any political party or dynasty. He said this during an interview to TV channel CNN-News18 here.
The PM’s remarks assume significance as it has come amidst a row over the inquiry conducted by a one-man commission, set up by Haryana’s BJP government, into the controversial land deals of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
“I have been CM of a state (Gujarat) for 14 years. The history is witness to it that I have never opened any file because of political reasons. There has been no such allegation against me. It has been over two-and-a-half years here (in government at the Centre). There is no instruction from the government to open any file,” he said. The PM was responding to questions that the government was allegedly targeting political dynasties, an apparent reference to the Sonia Gandhi family. Without referring to any case, Modi said law will take its own course. “I do not have the right to do any cover up either... It is not right to say that we have not spared any dynasty,” the Prime Minister said.
Congress has come down hard on the issue, accusing the Justice Dhingra Commission and the BJP governments at the Centre and Haryana of running a campaign of slander and vilification.
“The sole intent is to defame, conspire and malign rather than examine the facts fairly. This shows the mal-intent and sinister conspiracy of government of Haryana, of BJP and even the Commission itself,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Violence against Dalits
In the interview to the TV channel, Modi condemned incidents of violence against Dalits, saying it does not suit any civilised society.
He asked politicians, including his own party men, to shun irresponsible statements and said the community’s “self-appointed champions” were giving political colour to the social problem to create tension. He said he was committed to the welfare of Dalits and other oppressed sections of society but some people cannot digest that “Modi is pro-Dalit”.
“I want to tell politicians, including the leaders of my own party, that there should be no irresponsible statements against any person or community. The country's unity, social unity and equality should not be affected. We should be extra cautious,” Modi said.