In an interview with news agency ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed various issues, notably defending the electoral bonds scheme while criticizing the opposition’s stance. He expressed regret over the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap the electoral bonds, stating it pushed the country towards black money. Modi clarified that the scheme aimed to curb the use of unaccounted cash in elections but acknowledged its limitations.
Modi emphasized the need for transparency in political funding, highlighting the intention behind introducing electoral bonds. He acknowledged that all parties spend money on elections but aimed to find a way to reduce the influence of black money. Despite its imperfections, Modi defended the scheme as a step towards transparency in political donations.
The Supreme Court had struck down the electoral bonds scheme in February, citing violations of the right to information and equality. However, Modi pointed out that a significant portion of the funds from electoral bonds went to parties other than his own, countering allegations of bias towards his party.
Responding to opposition criticism, Modi denied claims of favoritism towards the ruling party and highlighted improvements in electoral processes. He dismissed allegations of using central agencies to target rivals, citing low percentages of cases against political leaders.
Modi also criticized the Congress party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections, accusing it of neglecting the economy and harming the aspirations of young voters. He expressed concerns about the impact of the manifesto on the future of the country, particularly for those under 25 years old.
In a separate topic in an interview, Modi welcomed potential investment from Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Bharat but emphasized the importance of localization. He expressed his openness to initiatives from global companies but stressed the need for products to reflect the essence of Indian culture and values.
The interview with ANI provided insights into Modi’s perspectives on various issues, from electoral reforms to economic policies and foreign investment. His defense of the electoral bonds scheme and critique of the opposition’s manifesto underscored the political tensions leading up to the upcoming elections.
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