Will send guilty MPs, MLAs to jail within a year: Modi

Blaming the Congress for criminalising politics, Narendra Modi on Monday said that if voted to power he will set up special courts to try the tainted MPs and MLAs and send the guilty behind bars within one year.

He also said that he would free the system from criminals within five years.

"I am disturbed by the criminalisation of politics, for which Congress is responsible. Congress leaders started using criminals to retain power by hook or crook. Later, these criminals became powerful and turned politicians. We must free our political system from such criminals," Modi said.

Modi was giving a speech in Gandhinagar on Monday that was broadcast live across 100 locations in 15 states with the use of 3D holographic technology.

"Just give me one chance to clean the system. I will set up special courts under the supervision of the Supreme Court to try all the tainted MPs and MLAs, that too within one year time limit. After one year, those who are guilty, will go to jail," he said.      

Modi said like MPs and MLAs the the cleaning process would continue in the lower ranks as well. "After MPs and MLAs, the same process will be applied at the bottom, such as panchayats. It is my promise that I will free the system from criminals within five years," he added.

He also said that he promises that no discrimination or favouritism will be done in this cleaning process, even if that leader belongs to his party.

Modi, who kept a bust of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar (whose 123rd birth anniversary was celebrated today) close to him during his speech, accused the Congress of ignoring the architect of the Indian Constitution.

"Three leaders of the Gandhi-Nehru family received Bharat Ratna award, but Dr Ambedkar was never conferred the highest honour. After 40 years of his death, the government supported by BJP awarded him with the Bharat Ratna. Congress was not even ready to put up his photograph in the Parliament," Modi alleged.