Corruption wiped out from corridors of Delhi: Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that Narendra Modi government, which is completing half of its term, has wiped out corruption from corridors of Delhi.

Addressing a public meeting organised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here, he said the government was establishing a new political culture in India.

"Even today when people speak of corruption, they speak of previous government. Nobody is willing to even raise the issue against this government," he said.

Praising Modi, Jaitley said the country has a prime minister who has courage and capacity to take decisions.

He said unlike the previous government, this government does not believe in helplessness and allowing issues to persist.

"He (Modi) is even willing to take tough decisions and at times unpopular decisions, provided they are in the larger interest of the country," he said.

The minister claimed that on issues of national security, Modi had shown both clarity of mind and firmness which, he said, were attached to character and philosophy of BJP.

Stating that Kashmir has seen one of the worst ever crises, he said the 'strong leader and strong government' did not give a single signal that it is going to yield at the cost of national unity. "That firmness finally paid off," he remarked.

Jaitley asserted that Pakistan had made routine activity of allowing its terrortory for terrorism against India and historically "our response has been to raise it in international forum" to isolate Pakistan.

"For the first time a government in Delhi has told neighbouring country that if you indulge in terrorism in India, you will have to pay price for it and cost for allowing your terrirtory to be used for terrorism will become unbearable on you."

Referring to surgical strikes, the BJP leader said people were surprised that government could take such a decision and "our armed forces with such great patriotism and competence could execute the decision".

Jaitley claimed that for first time in history, the Modi government created a situation where notwithstanding slowdown in the world economy, India became fastest growing economy in the world for two years in a row.

He hoped that this will continue for next one year despite a slowdown and global economic crisis.

---IANS

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