Vyapam scam: CPI(M) questions PM's silence; seeks SC-monitored

Questioning the "normally outspoken" prime minister's silence over the Vyapam scam, CPI(M) today accused the BJP-led government of "encouraging" crime and corruption as it sought a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into the "sordid" affair.
The party also said it will take up the issue during the nationwide protests called on July 20 by six Left parties and will also raise it in Parliament when the Monsoon session gets underway.
"Worst thing is, the normally outspoken Prime Minister Narendra Modi (is keeping quiet). If nothing else, his tweets are famous or infamous because it is a one-way traffic of communication.
"But there is not a single word on this entire sordid affair. Not one tweet, not one communication. So, nobody knows what the prime minister is thinking," CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the party's two-day politburo meeting, which got underway today.
Modi's silence is "worse" than that over which he used to take a dig at his predecessor Manmohan Singh, added Yechury.

The Left leader further said that the "worst type" of crony capitalism was rising in the country even as the prime minister keeps quiet over the Lalit Modi row, Vyapam scam and the alleged involvement of two BJP ministers in scams in Maharashtra.
"This is worse than the characterisation the present prime minister gave to the former prime minister. Worst type of crony capitalism is being built; and this is now becoming a habit of this government to encourage corruption with crime," he said.

Terming the Vyapam scam "unprecedented", Yechury expressed concern over the "mysterious" deaths in connection with the matter.