Modi's anti-corruption plank in tatters: Congress over CBI mess

The Congress on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plank of anti-corruption was in tatters. The party's reaction came following a senior CBI officer accusing top government officials, including NSA Ajit Doval, of influencing the agencys functioning and a Union minister being bribed.

A day after DIG-rank CBI officer M.K. Sinha made the allegations before the Supreme Court, the Congress demanded answers from Modi and questioned Doval's constitutional or legal authority to interfere with probe agency's functioning.

Sinha alleged Doval stymied investigation of bribery charges against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, and also said that "a few crore of rupees were paid to Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhari".

"A crime thriller called 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' is underway in Delhi," Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted in an apparent reference to the Prime Minister.

Later addressing a media conference, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the "turmoil created by a despotic Modi government in the CBI has now unleashed a corruption tsunami which has hit the top-most powers of the country".

He said that Sinha' affidavit before the apex court has confirmed that a "corrupt cabal" was in-charge of premier institutions such as teh Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"The plank of anti-corruption on which the Modi government came to power lies in tatters. What is however deafening is the silence of the Modi government," said Singhvi.

Singhvi also wondered why none of those named or mentioned in the affidavit has spoken a word in their defence.

"In his rallies today (Tuesday), Modi looked visibly rattled and upset that all his misdeeds have started to come out in the open," he said asserting Sinha's affidavit has "conclusively exposed the underbelly" of the BJP government.

"Doval in his capacity as NSA has not only interfered in matters such as the Rafale negotiations, but has almost derailed the integrity of the investigation by the CBI. What constitutional or legal authority does he have?" he asked.

"What does the Prime Minister have to say about a Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, in-charge of the PMO, being involved to 'settle' a matter for Haribhai Choudhary," asked Singhvi.

--IANS

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