PM Modi failed to bring back black money, fugitives: Azad

JAIPUR: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign trips failed to create an environment that would help bring back fugitives or black money stashed abroad. Azad said the Modi government failed to extradite those who allegedly committed scams and fled with public money.
The Congress leader was in the city for a day. Addressing media at PCC headquarters, Azad said, “A prime minister does not travel abroad on a fun trip but represents his country and creates influence to benefit the country in times of disputes or need.” He added, “But in the last four-and-a-half years, the PM could not create enough influence to bring back those like Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and others.”

During the last Lok Sabha elections, Modi promised to bring back black money, which did not happen, the leader of opposition said. “Instead, the tax payer’s money was taken away and he could not stop that from happening,” Azad said.

Referring to the recent controversy involving CBI directors, Azad said Alok Verma was sent on leave as the agency was about to begin investigations into the Rafale fighter deal with France. The Modi-government has already denied the charge.

Azad further alleged that the Modi-government was involved in corruption to the tune of “thousands of crores” and BJP-ruled states Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh were also suffering from graft. The senior Congressman claimed that BJP governments failed to keep promises. “They gave slogans like `Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', which did not amount to anything and the governments just focused on publicity,” he charged.

The Pradesh Congress Committee released a “report card” on the occasion and claimed that the state BJP government was a failure.