'Opposition is laying out reasons for defeat in elections': PM Modi on claims on EVMs, lack of playing field

Dismissing the Opposition’s allegations of a lack of playing field because, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Opposition has started laying out reasons for their defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In an interview with ANI, Modi said that the Opposition has started raising the issues of electronic voting machines (EVMs) or central investigative agencies because they want to have excuses for their electoral setbacks.

“There is a saying: Naach na jaane aangan tedha (someone who can’t dance calls the floor distorted). 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,” said Modi.

In an apparent reference to the Opposition’s charge of central agencies’ pursuit of Opposition leaders and questions on institutions like the Election Commission of India, Modi said the laws governing these institutions were not made him. He further said that his government has actually strenthened the laws governing the ECI.

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“If the Election Commission is formed today, then the opposition is also in it. Earlier, the Prime Minister used to sign a file and form the Election Commission. Those who were close to their families, such people became election commissioners. Such people, 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 later. And that is why we cannot play at that level. We cannot become like this. We want to go on the right path, we don’t want to go on the wrong path,” said Modi.

#WATCH | On Opposition's allegation that BJP is in control of all institutions and there is no level playing field, PM says, "...There is a saying — Naach na jaane aangan tedha. That's why sometimes they will make excuses for the EVM. Basically, for the defeat, they have started… pic.twitter.com/6C30bGi4nX

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2024

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As for the investigative agencies, Modi said, “None of the law regarding this was made by my government. Whether it is ED, CBI or Election Commission.”

As a number of Opposition leaders are under the scanner of agencies like the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Opposition has alleged that these agencies are misused for political purposes. The government has rejected the assertions.

In the interview, Modi went on to appreciate the role of the ED and highlighted that the agency has seized much more money and attached much more assets since 2014 than during the previous Congress-led government’s tenure. He asked what prevented the agency from taking action during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) days.

“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?” said Modi.

Modi further said, “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 10 years, we have recovered Rs 2,200 crore in cash. Rs 34 lakh can be carried in a bag while for carrying Rs 2200 crore 70 small trucks will be needed. 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.”