The scrapping of the electoral bonds – in a landmark decision by the Supreme Court in February – is a decision “everyone will regret when there is honest reflection” and has “completely pushed the country towards black money”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told news agency ANI Monday.

The Prime Minister said the electoral bonds scheme launched by his government was meant to fight the use of ‘black money’, referring to unaccounted cash or funds from criminal activities, in election campaigns, and that he had “never claimed this was an absolute way” to achieve that goal.

Mr Modi also attacked the opposition for spreading “lies” about the bonds and said his government had introduced the scheme to cut down on ‘black money’ during elections. He countered criticism – that his Bharatiya Janata Party was the largest beneficiary, to the tune of thousands of crores.

“There has been a discussion in our country for a long time… that black money allows for dangerous games to be played during elections. That money is spent in elections… no one denies. My party also spends… all parties and all candidates spend, and this money is taken from the people. I wanted to try something… how can our elections be free from this black money? How can there be transparency for people giving donations? This was a pure thought in my mind,” the PM said.

“We were looking for a way. We found a small way… never claimed this was absolute,” he said, building on comments from earlier this month, when he told a Tamil news channel “no system is perfect… shortcomings can be improved“.

Mr Modi’s comments on electoral bonds came in a wide-ranging interview aired this evening – four days before the start of the Lok Sabha election – that included detailed remarks on the opposition INDIA bloc, the contentious ‘One Nation, One Election’ scheme, and allegations his government uses central investigative agencies, like the Enforcement Directorate, to target rivals before polls.

PM Modi On Electoral Bonds

The electoral bonds scheme – which was supposed to allow private individuals and corporates to make completely anonymous donations to any political party (previously anonymity was limited to donations below the Rs 2,000-mark) – was struck down by the Supreme Court in February.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled the scheme unconstitutional on two counts – it violated the people’s right to information and the right to equality. The court directed the State Bank of India (the sole sales point for the bonds) to release data about buyers and beneficiaries.

READ | 2 Key Issues In Focus As Court Strikes Down Electoral Bonds

Mr Modi, however, pointed out to ANI that the 16 companies which bought electoral bonds after facing money laundering cases, and that 63 per cent of that amount went to parties other than the BJP.

He then took a double jibe at the opposition, saying, “The work of donating to the opposition… will BJP do this? 63 per cent went to them… and you are making allegations against us?” he asked.

“This is the success story of electoral bonds. There were electoral bonds… so you are getting a (money) trail of which company gave, how much, where. Whether what happened was good or bad can be an issue of debate…” Mr Modi explained to ANI.

PM Modi On Opposition Attacks

The Prime Minister stoutly denied allegations by the opposition – that the political landscape is tilted in favour of the ruling party. The opposition has pointed to changes like the new law that allows the government to choose poll panel officials, who are supposed to ensure a free and fair election.

READ | “Excuses”: PM Slams Opposition’s “No Level-Playing Field” Charge

On that topic he told ANI, “In fact, we have made improvements. Today, when the Election Commission is formed, the opposition is also in it.” Mr Modi was referring to the law mandating the Leader of the Opposition as the third in a three-member selection panel. The other two are the PM and a Union Minister.

The Prime Minister also responded to claims the government uses central agencies to harass rivals. He pointed out that only three per cent of cases filed by the ED were against political leaders.

READ | “Only 3%…”: PM’s Jab At Opposition’s Probe Agency Claims

He also declared those involved in corruption would have “paap ka dar“, or fear of sin, and that honest persons had nothing to fear. The PM”s comments come amid criticism over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest last month in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Mr Kejriwal’s former deputy, Manish Sisodia, and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s K Kavitha, were also arrested in this case.

READ | Kejriwal To Stay In Jail For Now, Court Refuses Early Hearing

PM Modi On Congress Manifesto

The Prime Minister lashed out at the Congress, which heads the united INDIA opposition bloc, and the party’s manifesto for this election, which he earlier referred to as a “Muslim League imprint”.

“This manifesto completely fails the economy. In a way, the manifesto of opposition, destroys the aspiration of the first time voter of the country,” he said.

READ | “Congress Manifesto Biggest Loss For…”: PM Modi’s Swipe

“… the biggest loss (from the Congress’ manifesto) is for the people who are less than 25 years old. This manifesto will destroy their future,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi On Elon Musk

Asked about possible investment in India by Tesla, Inc. boss Elon Musk, the PM said he welcomed all such initiatives but pitched for localisation, saying “the product should have the essence of our soil”.

READ | “Paisa Kisi Ka Bhi Ho…”: PM Modi On Elon Musk’s India Plans

Mr Musk will meet PM Modi later this month, when he is expected to announce investment plans.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied the allegations by the Opposition that there is a lack of level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections and said that laws regarding the institutions were formed before his tenure while adding that the Opposition is only trying to find an excuse for their impending defeat.

Confuting the claims of the misuse of the Enforcement Directorate, PM Modi highlighted that only 3 per cent of cases are against political people and a much higher amount of cash has been seized by the agency in the last 10 years as compared to before.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, PM Modi said, “None of the law regarding this was made by my government. Whether it is ED, CBI or Election Commission.”

He pointed out that the government even passed a bill that keeps a Leader of Opposition in the three-member committee to select the three Election Commissioners.

“In fact, we have made improvements in the Election Commission. Today, if the Election Commission is formed, then the opposition is also in it. Earlier, the Prime Minister used to sign a file and form the Election Commission. And those who were close to their families, such people became election commissioners.”

He said that earlier people close to the Congress party became Election Commissioners, who were later given Rajya Sabha tickets and ministries.

“Such people became election commissioners, who after leaving from there, became members of the Rajya Sabha, became ministers of their government. Such election commissioners were chosen who became Congress candidates. And that is why we cannot play at that level,” the Prime Minister added.

Taking a jibe at the Opposition, he said, “So our level play cannot happen, we cannot become like that. We want to go on the right path, we don’t want to go on the wrong path.”

Prime Minister Modi further said that the Opposition is creating excuses and are setting a “reasoning for their impending defeat”.

“There is a saying– Naach na jaane aangan tera (phrase literally translates to, someone who can’t dance calls the floor distorted),” PM Modi said. “That’s why sometimes they come up with excuses over EVM. Basically, they have already started setting a reasoning for their impending defeat, so the loss does not come on their side.”

The Parliament passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 last December.

Under the new system, a three-member committee, comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Minister and the Leader of the Opposition selects the three Election Commissioners.

Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar were appointed as the two Election Commissioners under the new system last month.

Further, on being asked about the claims over Opposition leaders being jailed, the Prime Minister said, “How many opposition leaders are in jail? Can someone tell me? And are these opposition leaders only running their government?

“There is fear of paap (sin). What fear does an honest person have? They had put my Home Minister (Amit Shah) in Jail…when I was Chief Minister,” he added.

Elaborating on the investigations by ED, Prime Minister Modi said ED had attached property worth Rs 5000 crore before 2014, while in the last 10 years, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been attached.

“Out of all the cases ED has registered, only 3 per cent are against political people. 97 per cent of people are those who have nothing to do with politics. They are either drug mafia or officers who are involved in corruption, against some of the officers who have created benami assets. 97 per cent of cases are against them, and they have been sent to jail,” PM Modi said.

“Shouldn’t we let the ED work independently when it is supposed to do so? Why was it formed? Before 2014, the ED attached only Rs 5000 crore. Who used to stop it from taking action and who was getting benefitted? In my tenure, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore belonging to people involved in illegal activities have been attached. Is it not the money of the people of the country?” he added.

Prime Minister Modi further said that ED had only recovered Rs 34 lakh before 2014 while in the last 10 years, Rs 2200 crore cash has been recovered, while adding that his personal conviction is to fight corruption with full strength.

“Before 2014, the same ED had recovered Rs 34 lakh in cash, the money that can be kept in a school bag. In the last ten years, we have recovered Rs 2200 crore in cash,” he said.

“Rs 34 lakh can be carried in a bag while for carrying Rs 2200 crore, 70 small trucks will be needed to keep Rs 2200 crore. It means that the ED is doing its job well. They have held people and seized cash as well. It is my commitment and I am convinced that the corruption has destroyed the country. We should fight against corruption with our full strength, and this is my personal conviction,” the Prime Minster added.

The 2024 general elections will be held in the country in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4.

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