Modi regime determined to get back black money, says Shah
New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) Terming the Narendra Modi-led NDA government "visible and pro-active" unlike the previous UPA regime, BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said it was determined to get back black money stashed abroad, but could not announce the names of culprits due to international treaties.
He also said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had performed well in the past one year, given a boost to the economy and initiated various infrastructure projects while there was no corruption under it.
"We have enacted a law to prevent black money from going abroad and we are determined to get it back. But if the BJP government announces the names of those who have black money, then as per the international treaties, we will not get further information," said Shah, while addressing the media on the completion of one year of the NDA government.
Taking a dig at the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government over the issue, he said: "What has the Congress done in 60 years in power for recovering black money?"
"What is your interest? To make headlines or to protect those on whom we still have no information," he asked.
Hitting back, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Modi, while campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections, had promised to bring back black money and give Rs.15 lakh - Rs.20 lakh in each person's account, whereas Shah had discounted the promise saying it was a "jumla (idiom)".
In a booklet released here, the Congress said Modi, Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley had described the non-disclosure of names of black money account holders as betrayal of the nation.
Shah also said that under Modi's leadership, the BJP had promised to root out corruption. "We have been able to do that. Even our political opponents have not been able to point fingers at us regarding any scam," he said.
Shah also hailed the government's boost to the economy, saying that fiscal deficit was under control, trade had grown, foreign investment was at its highest in the past 10 years and prices have been brought under control.
"When the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power, the economy's growth rate was around 4.4 percent. When they bowed out, it was 8.4 percent. During the UPA rule, it went down to around 4.4 percent. After one year of Modi government, the growth rate is now at 5.7 percent," he remarked.
"We are a pro-active and visible government," Shah said, adding that the government had come out of the "prevailing policy paralysis" and removed the "vishwas ka sankat" (trust deficit).
Shah asserted that no government had worked to improve the federal structure of India more than Modi's.
He also said Modi's interaction with world leaders has increased "India's global acceptance".
"The world is acknowledging India's development and progress today," he added.
Hinting at the possibility of joining hands with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in Bihar, Shah said: "Presently, talks are on. Our doors are open."
Asked whether the party had given up on its core issues such as abolition of the constitution's Article 370 giving Jammu and Kashmir a special status, Shah said: "As per the constitution, we need 370 seats to address our core issues."
Meanwhile, he denied any confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party Delhi government and BJP-led central government over the union home ministry's notification granting supremacy to the Delhi lt.governor in matters pertaining to pubic order, police, land and services.
"The so-called row with the Delhi government is not a row. It is a matter of interpretation of the constitution," Shah said. "The matter will go to court and will be settled," he added.
On the occasion, Shah also announced that the party would try and reach out to over 8 crore households in the next three months to give them an account of the work done in the past year.