Satya Column : Modi has highest regard for the spirit of federalism

Y Satya Kumar
BJP National Secretary

Inauguration of developmentalprogrammesby the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of a state calling on the PM are perfectly normal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the inauguration of the IIM Building, laying of the foundation stone for the Visakha-Raipur Expressway, modernization of the Visakhapatnam Railway Station, and other developmental works worth Rs 10,575 crore.It would be a red-letter day for Andhra Pradesh.Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy is taking part in some of these events.Therefore, if anyone concludes that BJP supports every deed of the YSRCP government, it would be their foolishness.

While campaigning in Tamil Nadu as BJP’s PM candidate during the 2014 elections, Modi levelled serious criticism against AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha, who also  responded by assailing Modi. After the LS elections, Jayalalitha went to Delhi and conveyed problems of Tamil Nadu state. Subsequently, Modi visited Tamil Nadu and Jayalalitha discussed issues like NEET andCauvery Water Dispute. Modi sought AIADMK’s support for the reforms initiated by the Centre. While the discussions were underway, the Sessions court cancelled bail of Jayalalitha in 2014 and sent her to jail.

The Supreme Court gave her bail after she had spent 21 days in prison. In May 2015, the Karnataka High Court absolved Jayalalitha, but the Supreme Court, in a decision delivered in 2017, held her guilty of large-scale misuse of power and amassing  thousands of crores of rupees. A few days prior to SC delivering the judgment, Jayalalitha passed away. Otherwise, she would have had to spend time in prison along with her friend Sasikala.

The above incident stands as a testimony to the fact that the law will take its course.During the erstwhile Chandrababu Naidu regime too, Modi took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the capital city Amaravati. Afterwards, the TDP quit from the NDA. In the same fashion, Modi inaugurated Mission Bhagiratha project. Irrespective of it, Telangana Chief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao (KCR) abused BJP and Modi.

In the just-concluded by-polls to the Munugode Assembly seat, TRS and BJP locked horns. Similarly, the BJP clashed with the Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal elections. Later, Mamata called on Modi in Delhi on several occasions. After winding up his AP tour, Modi is likely to go to West Bengal and take part in several developmental initiatives, along with Mamata Bannerjee.

Next year, a meeting of the G-20 nations is going to be held in West Bengal. Despite electoral differences between BJD and BJP in Odisha, the Prime Minister and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will work according to an understanding.

In September last, Modi went to Thiruvanantapuram in Kerala and took part in a series of developmentalprogrammes, along with Kerala Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan.The Kerala CM thanked the PM at the meeting for approving the second phase of the Kochi Metro Project.

Recently, Modi paid rich tributes to Adivasi martyrs, who had revolted against the  British in 1913, along with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.  Merely on that basis, if  anyone thinks that the BJP has close ties with Congress and Left parties, their political maturity should be under question.

In a democratic system, PM and CM will meet and take part  in developmentalprogrammes, rising above narrow political affiliations. Similarly, PMs tour states on the request of the CMs. It stands as a testimony to the federal spirit.

Ever since Modi came to power, he has given highest regard to the spirit of federalism. However, one or two CMs crossed their limits. They are behaving in an anarchic way. Mamata crossed her limits once and later realized her mistake and mended her ties with the Centre as she realized that good relations with Centre is necessary to protect the interests of the state. She is conducting herself accordingly.

However, KCR has crossed the limit beyond the point of no return and proved himself as a CM of extreme unruly mentality.It is in this backdrop that one should read Modi’s tour of Visakhapatnam. By virtue of Jaganmohan Reddy taking part in  developmentalprogrammes along with PM Modi, the trial of cases against either him or his aides would not be affected. Modi, who strongly believes that the law will take its own course, did not create any ruckus when he had to face trial. He cooperated with courts and probing agencies till the court declared him not guilty.

Modi is clear in his views about corruption. During his recent Independence Day speech, he declared that corruption and family rule were the two major challenges being faced by democracy. He recounted how his government had eliminated middlemen by ensuring direct fund transfer to the bank accounts of beneficiaries, plugged loopholes in the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, and took steps to recover properties from the most powerful leaders.The extent of properties attached during 2004 to 2014 was only Rs 5,341 crore, as against Rs 1 lakh crore during 2014-2022. During the recent Vigilance Week celebrations, Modi asked the authorities not to spare corruption in any form. He said it was not proper to praise those who had gone to jail in corruption-related cases.

Modi, during his stint of over 12years as Gujarat CM and over eight years as the PM, did not make money. There are no farmhouses or agricultural lands in his name. He does not own any real estate. His family members lead life as normal people. He has not faced any corruption charges during his more than16-year-long political career.