Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in Doha about India being plagued by corruption "maligned the nation's image", and questioned if scams in BJP-ruled Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat can be attributed to the Gandhi family.
Since Modi is the face of the nation, other countries may believe what he says about India which in turn might affect the financial condition of the country, an editorial in Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamna' said.
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Vowing to root out corruption in India, the Prime Minister had on Sunday said in Doha that he "faced problems" by depriving the "sweets of many" and saved over Rs 36,000 crore annually by stopping leakage and theft in government schemes.
"The Prime Minister garnered applause for speaking on how corrupt India is. This is like maligning the reputation of the country on foreign soil. If people are talking about corruption two years after the new government coming to power, whom do we blame for it? Can we attribute what is happening in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to the Gandhi family," the editorial said.
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"Since Modi is the face of the nation, other countries might believe what he speaks and take decisions based on that which might affect the financial condition of India. Jibes at opposition should be taken within the country itself. One does not need to go to America or Europe to take potshots at Modi or the Gandhi family," it added.
Sena, an ally of the ruling NDA, said that it was enough of leveling corruption charges against Robert Vadra and Gandhi family. It is now time to take action against them if they have indulged in wrongdoings, the party said.
"(Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister) Ajit Pawar had recently said he lost power because he lost control on his tongue. This should become a political mantra," the Sena said.
