It is not Narendra Modi's Government: Rahul Bajaj

 

 "We had an emperor on 27th of May 2014. Very few places in the world in the last 20-30 years (have) a success like that in the history of a nation. I am not anti this government. But the fact does remain, the shine seems to be wearing off," Bajaj, known to be an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, told NDTV in an interview.

The industrialist added that he is saying "What everybody is saying."

According to him, the downslide is reflected in a series of election results in the past year. "Delhi showed that, municipal panchayat elections of West Bengal showed that. And I hope for the best for both sides. I want good of India. I am an outsider, I know nothing. But if the BJP forms a good government (in Bihar), at least there is some redemption. There is some hope in Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Pondicherry."

Speaking  in the context of the government's new black money bill which has opened a three-month window, or compliance period, to declare undisclosed foreign assets. Those who avail of the three-month window will pay a 60 per cent charge, but avoid prosecution. Those who don't risk a 120 per cent penalty, in addition to a maximum jail term of 10 years.

 Bajaj said that the business community was anxious that the new black money bill which gives an option for declaring undisclosed foreign assets would not guarantee protection from future prosecution.

"I declare it and then you say it's an illegal declaration." If that is the case, he says, "I can't declare. I won't declare. I will take my chances, go to Supreme Court, and fight it out. In my lifetime, nothing will happen to me."

The top industrialist also said that he had no sympathy for businessmen who broke the law, but that the overall philosophy of the law seemed to be of settling scores. 

"I think drafting has been done with a clear presumption, which I feel, I can't say for the whole group. I have no sympathy for people who did that. So, this has been done with a vengeance," he said.

"This is not Narendra Modi's government," he said.