- The BJP that came to power on the issue of corruption and black money has gone back on its promises.
- • ’Zero Tolerance on Corruption’ turns out to be another example of the Modi government’s ‘jumla’
- • While investigations into Panama papers have begun all over the world, Modi Government still silent on independent enquiries.
- • Serious allegations of corruption in many cases like the Agusta-Westland, Kalikho Pul Suicide Diary and the Sahara Birla Diaries
- • The drama of demonetisation on the pretext of bringing back black money has led to no gains. Modi govt has diluted anti-corruption laws & institutions and till date, no Lokpal has been appointed.
- • “Political & institutional steps need to be taken to end the menace of corruption and black money” – Swaraj India
The BJP which came to power in 2014 Lok Sabha elections using the plank of anti-corruption has today turned its back on its own original promise. The Modi government has adopted a conscious silence on cases of massive corruption such as the ones mentioned in Panama Papers. While throughout the world, those named in Panama papers are being investigated, the Modi government, which had made claims of ‘Zero tolerance on corruption’ is dead-silent on such serious cases of corruption.
It is noteworthy that many famous personalities have been named in the Panama Papers. Among others, Bollywood celebrity Amitabh Banchan, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh’s son, Gautam Adani’s brother, DLF’s KP Singh have been named in Panama Papers. Ironically, instead of launching an investigation into the allegations of tax evasion, the government has made Amitabh Bachan the brand ambassador for GST.
Also what is noteworthy is that the name of Abhishek Singh, a BJP MP and the son of Raman Singh had appeared in the Augusta-Westland deals as well. Highlighting the whole issue, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav had even held a press conference presenting all the documents and proofs against the accused.
In the case of the Sahara Birla diaries, the Prime Minister of the country has himself been directly accused of financial corruption. Even in the suicide-note of the former Arunachal Pradesh CM Kalikho Pul, serious allegations of corruption have been levelled against many politicians as well as judges. Along with these names, names of politicians from the Congress party as well have surfaced in the dying declaration of ex-CM.
But the claims of ‘zero tolerance on corruption’ has also proved to be just another ‘jumla’. Rather than ordering investigations on such grave cases of corruption, the government has maintained a deafening silence. The only attempts this government has made in this regard are attempts to suppress the cases.
Prime Minister Modi suddenly announced Demonetisation because of which the county is suffering even today. But leave aside the amount of black money did it bring back, the government doesn’t even know as to how much notes came back to the RBI. This government has went on to dilute all laws meant to prevent corruption. Years after passing the Lokpal bill, the Modi government is yet to appoint a Lokpal. In fighting against corruption and black money, this government has proven to be highly incompetent.
Swaraj India demands that a free & fair investigation be conducted against those who have been named in the Panama Papers. Also, independent investigation must be initiated against those named in cases of corruption such as Augusta-Westland, Kalikho Pul Suicide note and the Sahara Birla Diaries. Or else the governmet’s ‘zero tolerance on corruption’ claim will be rendered to as mere joke. There is a desperate need for political as well as institutional solutions to tackle the menace of corruption. It remains a questions as to how long will the Modi government maintain its deafening silence on such grave cases of corruption?
