Not scared to be seen with industrialists: PM to Opposition
Prime Minister Modi says they play a key role in the nation’s development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit back over the opposition’s allegations about his proximity with corrupt industrialist Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, saying unlike others, he was not afraid of being seen with industrialists, who play a vital role in the nation’s development. “My conscience is clear,” he said, citing as an example Mahatma Gandhi, who often stayed at the Birla House, the home of the industrialist who extended support to the Congress during the freedom movement.
“I am not the kind who is scared of being seen with industrialists,” the Prime Minister said at the launch of 81 investment projects in Lucknow, attended by captains of the industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was not afraid of being seen with industrialists playing a key role in the nation's development, as he slammed the opposition parties for the "mistakes" made during 70 years after India's independence.
Attacking them for calling industrialists "chor and luterey", Modi said he did not hesitate in standing with the business community as his "intentions" are clear.
"We are not those who are scared of standing next to businessmen," he said, adding like farmers, bankers, government employees and labourers, industrialists also contributed to the development of the country.
Modi's retort came against the backdrop of the repeated attacks by the Congress, which has been alleging that the prime minister had links with "corrupt" industrialists and has been accusing him of neglecting the farmers and the underprivileged.
The prime minister said those who used to look for issues to criticise him, should note that whatever mistake they find dates back to 70 years.
"Please note, whatever you find will be dating back to 70 years (of their rule) and not from my four years. I have only four years in my account and you have 70 years," he said.
Modi, who launched as many as 81 investment projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore here, said even Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi stayed with the Birla family but his intentions were pure.
"You cannot have blot on you simply by standing with anyone if your intentions are good and clear. Gandhiji's intentions were so pure that he never hesitated in staying with Birla family," he said.
"Public mey milna nahi, parde ke peeche sab kuch karna hai. Woh dartey rahtey hain. (Those who do not meet publicly and do everything behind curtains remain scared)," he said.
Amar Singh, former SP leader, is sitting here and he can give you all the details, Modi said with a laughter.
"Should we insult them (industrialists and businessmen) by labelling them as 'chor' and 'luterey'. What is this? Those who will do wrong will have to
leave the country or spend life in the jail. This was not done earlier because everything was done behind the curtains..." "Kiskey jahaj me log ghoomtey pata nahi kya," (Are you not aware on whose aircraft they used to travel)," he said without naming anyone.
He said there was a time when coal brought a bad name, apparently referring to the coal block allocation scam.
The mega event on Sunday was attended by captains of the industry, including Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla group, Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani group, Subhash Chandra, chairman of Essel group and Sanjeev Puri, MD, ITC.
Besides top magnates of other major business houses like Walmart participated in the event. "Some persons are calling it ground breaking ceremony but its a record breaking ceremony. In such a less time, old ways have been changed and trust of industrialists has been gathered. I am happy that in Yogi Adityanath's leadership atmosphere is being created for investment by changing work culture," the prime minister said. Modi said India has become the world's second largest producer of mobile phones, and Uttar Pradesh is leading this manufacturing revolution. India is being recognised as mobile manufacturing hub, he said. He said all households will get electricity by March next year.
The prime minister said the government is giving prime importance to the energy sector, especially green energy and solar energy.
The projects the PM launched today are expected to hugely boost industrialisation in the state, which has big development goals to meet before next year's Lok Sabha elections.
State's industry minister Satish Mahana said the projects have the potential to create more than two lakh jobs.
The prime minister also took the opportunity to attack his political rivals who have been ridiculing his frequent visits to the state and saying that it smacked of his nervousness ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "As an MP from the state, I will come twice, five times, ten times... I am your MP and will keep visiting (the state)," he said.