Modi’s radio talk skips Lalit row, attracts opposition flak
In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on radio, Modi refrained from speaking on politics or the recent controversies surrounding Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj over the Lalit Modi issue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about a number of social issues in his monthly radio address but chose to avoid any reference to the political storm that has been generated by Lalit Modi row for which Congress warned him that the issue will continue to “haunt” him.
CPI and Aam Aadmi Party also attacked Modi for remaining silent on the controversy.
In his ‘ Mann Ki Baat’ programme on radio, Modi refrained from speaking on politics or the recent controversies surrounding Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over the Lalit Modi issue which some quarters were expecting.
Among various topics, he talked about the girl child, voicing concern over the depleting sex ratio in 100 districts of the country, with the situation being more serious in Haryana. He pitched for a mass campaign to save the girl child.
During the 20-minute programme, he also spoke about the recently-launched three social security schemes and three developmental schemes, including ‘housing for all’ by 2022, as well as the Yoga Day celebrated on June 21.
He also emphasised on the need for saving water and planting trees to preserve the environment.
Expressed disappointment
Speaking soon after the ‘Man ki Baat’ programme was aired, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed disappointment over the “failure” of the prime minister to speak on Lalit controversy.
His other senior party colleagues P. Chidambaram and Digvijay Singh as also CPI’s D Raja and AAP leader Ashish Khetan.
“All over India, no one is ready to listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat....Everyone wants to listen to voice of people in the programme,” said Azad, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.
Taking a dig at Modi, Azad said he continued to be a “dream merchant” in the programme as he has been merely selling dreams in India and abroad.
“It is in the interest of the prime minister to take immediate action against those involved in corruption. Otherwise nationally and internationally, it is going to haunt him wherever he goes,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile in light of senior BJP leader L, K. Advani emphasising the need for probity in public life, opposition parties on Sunday said Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhra Raje must “own up responsibility” in the Lalit Modi controversy.
“It is a very clear indication from the senior-most leader of BJP that its ministers, when they are implicated, when there are allegations against them, should own up responsibility.
Veiled message
“The Prime Minister should come out with a clear explanation. Nothing is happening. It is in this context that he (Advani) has given this opinion. So, I think that Advaniji’s opinion is the reflection of thinking in general of the people,” said senior Congress leader P. C. Chacko.
In a veiled message to the Narendra Modi government in the wake of the row involving Swaraj and Raje, the BJP patriarch had on Saturday said there is a need to maintain probity in public life and recalled how he had resigned soon after his name cropped up in the Hawala scam.
“The very mention of Advaniji’s resignation now means what? It is a hint that he wants that these two people should own moral responsibility,” added Chacko.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said it was now clear that the ruling BJP does not intend to walk on the path of political morality.
“They had claimed to be a party with a difference. What difference is that? They want to protect their own people... They might be feeling that if they take action against one it may trigger a process.
Political morality
“By now, it is clear that they don’t intend to walk on the path of political morality. This is what Advaniji has also cautioned about,” Kumar said.
Advani had resigned as an MP in 1996 following allegations of his involvement in the infamous Hawala scam. He was consequently re-elected in 1998 after his name was cleared.
Entries found in the diaries of Hawala broker SK Jain were presented as crucial evidence against top politicians, including Advani, in the court by CBI.
While in Jaipur, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that Advani’s message was clear and direct and Raje should put in her papers.
“Owing to moral responsibility in the Lalit Modi row, Raje should consider words of her veteran leader Advani and step down so that a fair probe be conducted on the charges she was facing for signing documents,” Gehlot told reporters at his residence here.
“She should first quit, allow investigation fairly, and if she is proved innocent then she can join chief ministership again,” Gehlot suggested.