In a candid interview with ANI news agency on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the opposition has become so frustrated with election losses that “abusing has become its nature.” He added that after 24 years of being subjected to verbal attacks, he has become “gaali-proof” or immune to abuses.
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Recounting some of the harshest barbs hurled at him over the years, PM Modi reminded of the “maut ka saudaagar” (merchant of death) jibe first used by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi ahead of the 2007 Gujarat polls. “Who called me ‘maut ka saudaagar’ and ‘gandi naali ka keeda (filthy drain worm)?” he questioned. A BJP parliamentarian had apparently tallied 101 abuses flung at the Prime Minister over time. “So whether there is an election or no election, these people believe that only they have the right to abuse. They have become so frustrated that now abusing has become their nature,” PM Modi lamented. On allegations of misusing probe agencies like the ED and CBI against opponents, the Prime Minister challenged his critics to provide proof instead of “throwing garbage.” He vowed to “convert this garbage into manure” to create something productive for the nation. Contrasting his tenure with predecessor Manmohan Singh’s, PM Modi highlighted that while only Rs 34 lakh was seized in 10 years under the previous regime, the Enforcement Directorate has recovered Rs 2,200 crore from corruption over the last decade. “The one who has brought back Rs 2,200 crore to the country should be respected and not abused,” he asserted. The Prime Minister maintained his government has “zero tolerance” towards graft and enabled even village chiefs to operate cheque books, a power formerly denied to PMs. He insinuated that those opposing him likely had a hand in siphoning off public money which is why “whoever has a part in stealing money will shout a little after being caught.” Throughout the ongoing election campaigns, PM Modi has accused opposition leaders of resorting to personal attacks as they lack a positive agenda, alleging they are working to protect the corrupt against his anti-graft moves.
