Modi hints at tougher anti-corruption measures, opposition on notice

On Saturday, it seemed as if Prime Minister Narendra Modi was openly threatening the "corrupt" opposition.

During the first 100 days of his third term, Modi said during a political rally in Ajmer, Rajasthan, that he had begun planning for "bigger decisions" against corruption. The prime minister continued, saying that the measures adopted in the previous ten years to combat corruption had just been a "trailer".

"Teesra karyakal meri sarkar ka bahut dur nahi hai. Merely a hundred people have been affected by the BJP's sarkar and bhi bade faisle lene jaa rahi hai. Main tay karke baitha hoon, saari taiyari shuru kar di hai (My government's third term is coming up soon). The BJP administration would make more significant choices against corruption in the first 100 days in office. Modi said, "I've made a call and the arrangements are in motion.

"The reason I say that everything that has been done in the previous ten years is simply a trailer is that, while it may seem like it now, it is still a work in progress. There's still a lot of work to be done)," he said.

During his recent rallies, Modi has said that the past ten years of his government were just a "trailer". For the first time, however, he has offered some information about his plans should he be re-elected to a third term.

Despite the strong opposition to "selective targeting," he has also pledged to keep up his fight against corruption; nonetheless, this is the first time that the planning for "bigger decisions" has been brought to light.

Modi did not make it clear whether he intended to pass stricter anti-corruption legislation.

Opposition politicians who are being prosecuted for financial misconduct have previously said that the Modi government's revision to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has made it more difficult for judges to grant bail.

Prior to making the warning, Modi attacked the Congress, accusing them of "looting" funds intended for the underprivileged.

He vowed to keep up his fight against "bhrashtachar," saying, "The Congress and its ghamandia (arrogant) alliance are holding rallies not to win elections but to save the corrupt."

In an attempt to portray the Congress as a corrupt organization, Modi informed the assembly that searches on a Congress Member's home had turned up more than Rs 300 crore in cash. "Counting machines stopped working because the amount of cash was so large," he claimed.

"Should I not keep taking action against these dishonest people? Isn't it time to abolish corruption? Have you given me any blessings for this drive? Asked Modi. "Yes," the audience responded.

In front of the assembly, Modi said that he had granted the investigation authorities "full freedom," but he did not clarify why the BJP-defecting lawmakers were not facing further action.

According to data, 23 of the 25 opposition politicians who were being investigated by federal authorities for corruption were granted reprieves when they joined the BJP in 2014.