Home Minister Amit Shah robustly supported the constitutional amendment bill that mandates the removal of arrested PM-CMs after 30 days of bail. Highlighting his and his party's belief, Shah asserted that whether it's a CM, PM, or any other minister, one cannot govern from jail. Moral grounds have previously led leaders like Lal Krishna Advani and George Fernandes to resign. Recently, Hemant Soren also stepped down, and now a legal provision has been established to uphold this principle.
Shah pointed out that the constitution makers could not have envisioned the brazenness of a chief minister remaining in office while being imprisoned. Such incidents have occurred in recent times, and it's crucial that we do not allow the standards of moral values to decline. This law will serve as a foundation for maintaining ethical standards.
Discussing the bill, Shah recalled the period when he was investigated during his tenure as Gujarat's Home Minister. Presenting the bill in the Lok Sabha, Shah criticized the Congress for espousing morality.
In an interview, Shah said,
"Charges were brought against me, and as soon as I received a summons, not even an arrest, CBI summoned me. I resigned the very next day. The arrest came later. The trial proceeded, and the judgment declared it a case of political vendetta. I was completely exonerated."
Shah further elaborated,
"The judgment came later, but I was granted bail beforehand. The judgment stated that I was entirely uninvolved in the case and wasn't acquitted on suspicion. I got bail on the 96th day, yet I did not assume the oath of Home Minister. Moreover, until the charges against me were quashed, I refrained from taking any constitutional oath. So, is the opposition really in a position to preach morality to me?"
During the interview, Shah was asked about his insistence on the judiciary's role, mentioning Justice Aftab Alam. The question referred to Justice Alam allegedly visiting Shah's home to get his signature for leaving Gujarat.
In addressing this, Shah clarified,
"No, that did not happen. Justice Alam never came to my house, nor was it necessary. A special court sat on a Sunday to hear my bail application. The concern was that I might influence evidence while serving as Home Minister, so my lawyer assured that if there was any fear, our client would stay outside Gujarat pending the bail decision. I stood by that statement and stayed out for two years. Indeed, that's how long it took, thanks to Justice Alam's intervention. Bail applications usually last no more than 11 days."
Discussing recent arrests of leaders, Shah commented that allowing moral standards to fall is unacceptable.
