Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised sharp questions over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to prevent ministers from holding office if imprisoned. Speaking at a public rally in Gaya, Bihar—just ahead of the state assembly elections—Modi drew a pointed comparison between government employees and elected representatives.
“If a driver, a clerk, or even a peon spends more than 50 hours in jail, their service is terminated. But a minister, a chief minister, or even a prime minister can continue running the government from prison. Is this fair?” the Prime Minister asked, hinting at recent political controversies without naming anyone directly.
He referred to instances where government files were signed and official directives issued from jail, remarking, “If leaders themselves normalize such behavior, how will the fight against corruption succeed? The NDA has brought laws that hold everyone accountable, including the Prime Minister.”
His remarks were widely seen as a veiled attack on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested last year in the Delhi excise policy case. Despite being in custody, Kejriwal had refused to resign and continued functioning as Chief Minister before eventually stepping down after being granted bail by the Supreme Court.
The Bill, introduced by Shah earlier this week in Lok Sabha, has already triggered massive uproar from opposition parties. Lawmakers accused the Centre of weaponizing investigative agencies like the ED and CBI for political gain. Protests inside Parliament even led to suspension of proceedings, with opposition MPs tearing copies of the Bill and throwing them towards Shah.
Political analysts believe passing the amendment will not be easy, as it requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament. Still, Modi’s remarks from Bihar have given the debate fresh momentum.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also inaugurated multiple infrastructure projects, including new stretches of Kolkata Metro’s Yellow, Orange, and Green lines. Later, he is scheduled to travel to West Bengal, where he will take a metro ride himself before addressing a political rally at Dum Dum Central Jail ground.
