Gang of 4 persons working against PM Modi: Swamy on CBI rift

Reacting to the rift in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), senior Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said that "a gang of four persons" is working against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hurt the party's image.

"A gang of four persons is working against Prime Minister Modi. Our party's image is being hurt. Nirav Modi, Choksi and Mallya escaped. How can we fight against corruption if this continues? I am still a supporter of the Prime Minister. He is still the best. But his aides are working against him," Swamy said.

On Tuesday, Swamy lauded the honesty of CBI Director Alok Verma by calling him "an upright officer" who was doing a great job. At the same time, he sharply criticised Special Director Rakesh Asthana for not being pro-active in a case involving former finance minister P. Chidambaram.

"I urge Prime Minister Modi to reconsider the action taken against Alok Verma," Swamy said.

Swamy had alleged that the government was protecting those guilty of corruption and a reshuffle was done to protect Chidambaram.

"The players in the CBI massacre are about to suspend ED's Rajeshwar (Singh) so that he cannot file the charge-sheet against Chidambaram. If so I will have no reason to fight the corrupt since my govt (government) is hell-bent on protecting them. I shall then withdraw from all the corruption cases I have filed," Swamy wrote on Twitter.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday sent Director Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave with immediate effect and appointed M. Nageswara Rao as Interim Director of the investigating agency.

Alok Verma on Wednesday moved Supreme Court challenging the government's decision. The apex court will hear his plea on Friday.