UPA degrading constitutional institutions, says Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the UPA government of “degrading” constitut­ional institutions and endangering the federal structure of the country.

“All our constitutional institutions are being degraded. If we don’t give strength to our constitutional institutions, all systems will be finished,” Modi said.

“A democracy functions according to systems. It cannot be based on individuals. People may come and go, but the system of democracy is there. Democracy should be system-centric, not people-centric,” he said, addressing an interactive session.
“The country cannot function as per the whim of an individual,” he said. “The federal system is our biggest strength. There should be no scratch on it. For the unity and integrity of the country, it should be our prime responsibility to protect the sanctity of our federal structure,” he said.

“However, the sad thing is, those sitting in Delhi today are damaging the federal structure. I feel this is a big danger for the country,” Modi said.

In an apparent reference to the Supreme Court’s remarks over the CBI’s status report on the coal scam, Modi said, “Today, the country is drowning in coal. I fear that the hands of the Supreme court may get blackened in this.

Speaking of the anti-government sentiment among people, Modi said, “What is happening today in the country is an expression of the public angst. People cannot bear to see the bad things happening to the country. They see that the country’s boat is sinking.”
PTI