BackNarendra Modi intensifies anti-corruption pitch in poll-bound Uttarakhand
Stating that NDA was committed to fight corruption, Narendra Modi termed demonetisation as a 'cleanliness drive' against corruption
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed his government’s anti-corruption pledge on Tuesday, this time at a public rally in Dehradun.
Stating that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was committed to fight corruption, he termed demonetisation as a “cleanliness drive" against corruption. In a state where nearly every family has one member in the armed forces, he also very pointedly dwelled on his government resolving the long-pending One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue.
Not only did the PM defend the demonetisation initiative which ends on 30 December, he made corruption central to the electoral agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in upcoming elections to five state assemblies.
“Our fight is against black money hoarders. By banning Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, we have opened everyone’s cupboards. Some thought they could convert their black money by back door means but all of them are being caught now. This is a cleanliness drive and the people of India have come forward to help us in this," Modi said while addressing a rally at Parade Grounds in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, which goes to polls next year.
He was in the city to launch a 900-km Chardham Highway Development programme.
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“You gave me the work of a chowkidaar (guard) but now when I am doing my work, some people are bothered," he said, adding, “Kala dhan (black money) and kala mann (ill intent) both have damaged this country and both should go."
In the last fortnight, Modi has put up a strong defence of demonetisation, linking it with the anti-corruption narrative, first at the BJP’s parliamentary party meet on 16 December and then at a public rally in Kanpur in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
“I know you were inconvenienced but despite that the whole country came forward for the fight against corruption. I am indebted to you," he said, claiming that demonetisation has “destroyed" terrorism, human trafficking and drug mafia.
In a bid to counter Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s charges that the NDA was working for the rich, Modi cited his recent pro-poor initiatives, including the move to provide LPG to households living below the poverty line.
Touching an emotive subject, OROP, Modi said the forces had been demanding it for more than 40 years but it was only resolved this year; so far the government had disbursed nearly Rs6,600 crore.
Making a strong poll pitch during the rally, Modi said there should be a “double engine" of growth and development in both Delhi and Uttarakhand. “We will make an Uttarakhand where the youth does not need to migrate to dirty colonies in big cities," he said.
“I think that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA’s key agenda is going to be anti-corruption whether it is in terms of policy making or in poll campaigns. People have been inconvenienced but they are willing to support the move as long as it is for a larger good," said Annpurna Nautiyal, dean of school of humanities and social sciences at H.N.B Garhwal University in Uttarakhand.
“As far as the state polls are concerned, I think the BJP’s entire campaign in the state is being fought in the name of Modi. It will give a boost to the party’s campaign because he is a popular leader," she added.
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