Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the improved efficiency of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2014 when his government came to power. He provided statistics to support his claim, stating that before 2014, the ED filed less than 1,800 cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), whereas the number increased to more than 5,000 after the NDA government took office.
In an interview with Asianet News, PM Modi cited the increase in the number of cases filed and searches conducted as evidence of the ED's enhanced efficiency. He mentioned that the number of searches rose from 84 to 7,000 before and after 2014.
Addressing allegations from opposition parties regarding the alleged misuse of central agencies for political targeting, PM Modi emphasized that only three percent of the corruption cases registered by the ED involve individuals connected to politics. He defended the role of investigative agencies, stating that if an institution is established to combat corruption, it should be allowed to carry out its duties without undue interference.
Regarding the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi described them as critical, highlighting the voters' experience of stable governance after decades of unstable governments. He underscored the importance of people's experiences in shaping their voting decisions and expressed his view that the 2024 elections are driven by the people's initiative rather than by any particular political party or individual.
Reflecting on his tenure as Prime Minister since 2014, PM Modi emphasized his commitment to serving the people and fulfilling their expectations. He criticized previous governments for neglecting to strengthen India's relations with West Asia, highlighting the shift from a mere 'seller/buyer' dynamic to a more comprehensive development-oriented relationship between India and countries in the region.
