Modi in Rajya Sabha: 'Khuli Chhoot...,' PM defends ED, CBI actions on Opposition

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Rajya Sabha address in response to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) actions against the opposition during the 2024 election campaign.

Addressing allegations of political bias, Modi said that the government does not interfere with these agencies, stating, «Maine karwahi karne k liye khuli chooth dekh rahi hai, sarkar kahi pe tang nahi, par apna kaam imandari se kare» (I have given them full freedom to act, the government does not interfere, but they must do their work with honesty).

Modi also sought to sow discord between Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by recalling instances when Congress held press conferences against AAP.

Responding to allegations of misuse of probe agencies by the opposition, Modi pointed out that during the UPA's tenure, the Supreme Court had referred to the CBI as a «caged parrot.»

Modi further countered allegations saying, «Those who are questioning the investigating agencies, I urge them to refresh their memory. I want to tell how investigating agencies were misused earlier. I want to present some statements; the first statement is from 2013 — »it is not easy to fight against the Congress...it will put you in jail. The CBI will be after you. The Congress takes support after threatening you in the name of CBI and Income Tax" — this statement is of late Mulayam Singh."