Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief, in an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, mentioned the social gathering needs to wipe out corruption and there’s no logic to the Opposition’s allegations on the misuse of companies such because the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) towards them.

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“The Opposition’s claim is completely baseless. The agencies are doing their work. We want to root out corruption. If not root out, at least minimise it. This is our concern and for this, the agencies are doing their work. The Opposition feels agencies are doing wrong. They are also going to courts regarding this. So, why are they not getting the relief that they should get from the courts? Will you say that we have influenced courts? One should not try to make such baseless and unfounded allegations. One should also look at one’s side of the story,” said Singh, on the action by ED and CBI and arrest of two CMs.

When asked about the Opposition unity after the action by agencies, Singh said, “What kind of rally was this?… No, no, they are also not coming together… We want that in a healthy democratic system, there should be an effective opposition with a positive mindset. But this opposition is not able to fulfill its role…The onus of this is not on us.”

Singh rubbished the United Nations’ remark after the arrest of Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal that elections in the country should be free and fair. “Who is the United Nations to tell us that? Were there no free and fair elections earlier — in 2019, in 2014? I say that there were free and fair elections before that as well. Where did this come from? Let’s assume that the agencies wrongly arrested the chief minister, deputy chief minister, then why are they not getting relief from courts? Why are they not granted bail?”

“You tell us what should we do? What should our government do? Whatever allegations have been made against them, should we say that all the allegations are baseless? Are we putting pressure on the agencies? What should we do…,” he requested.

When requested if bail for AAP’s Sanjay Singh after six months will strengthen the Opposition, he mentioned, “We shouldn’t have time to analyse what increase they’ll get from this. At this time, on the idea of constructive pondering, we’re making our alliance utterly sturdy and we wish to obtain our aim.”

Commenting on the Opposition’s claim that corruption cases are dropped once their leaders join the BJP, Singh said, “It may have been done in some cases that a closure report may have been filed…But agencies will keep doing their work. We won’t put any pressure on them.”

Further responding to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and Opposition’s claims of whitewashing, Singh mentioned, “Look, Rahul Gandhi ought to perceive the reality. Their governments have additionally been there earlier than. In unbiased India, there’s hardly any Congress authorities towards which there was no corruption cost. There have been governments by which ministers have needed to go to jail due to corruption costs towards them. But 10 years have handed underneath the management of Modi ji and never a single allegation of corruption has been made. This is the most important distinction between their governments and ours.”