Even opposition believes NDA government will return to power: PM Modi

Prime Minister Modi discusses anti-corruption measures, opposition, and BJP's commitment to strengthening India in an exclusive interview.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the BJP used its majority in Lok Sabha for two consecutive terms to strengthen the country while the Congress used its decades-long majority to strengthen its "family", asserting that even the opposition believes that his government will retain power for a third term.

In an interview with the Hindi daily Hindustan, Mr. Modi underlined his commitment to taking strict action against the corrupt amid criticism by opposition parties that probe agencies were used by his government to target their leaders.

Steps against corruption are being taken even in states where the BJP is in power, he said, adding that the narrative that only political corruption is being targeted is being circulated by people who are under the sword of investigative agencies.

He said, "Of the corruption cases probed by the Enforcement Directorate, only three per cent have people associated with politics. The remaining 97% cases are linked to officials and criminals. Those who see benefits in a corrupt system are the ones who are crying foul and presenting the wrong picture."

Since his government came to power in 2014, eliminating corruption has been its priority, he said, citing steps like ending interviews for Group C and Group D jobs, launching of National Single Window System, efforts for making government services as faceless as possible and starting the DBT (direct benefit transfer) system to prevent the money of the poor from going into the pockets of middlemen.

"As a result, we have removed the names of more than 10 crore (100 million) fake beneficiaries who were not even born. By doing this, the government saved 22.75 lakh crore from going into the wrong hands. I am committed to taking strict action against the corrupt," he said.

Before 2014, the ED attached assets worth only 25,000 crore, whereas in the last 10 years the corresponding seizure surged to over one lakh crore, he said. "I assure your readers that action against such people, who steal the money meant for the welfare of the people of this country, will not end," he told the newspaper.