'My conscience is clear, not scared to be seen with industrialists'

In a scathing attack on the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that unlike others, he is not at all afraid of being seen with industrialists.

Speaking at a launch of 81 projects worth Rs 60,000 crore at a ceremony here, the Prime Minister further reiterated that as long as intentions are clear, there is no issue in meeting with the industrialists, who play a significant role in the country's development.

Citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who reportedly used to stay at the Birla House, the Prime Minister said, "My conscience is clear."

"There are people who don't want to get themselves photographed with any industrialist but there is hardly any who didn't meet them on the sly. Mahatma Gandhi never hesitated in meeting businessman Birla. There is no problem in meeting anyone as long as the intentions are clear," Prime Minister Modi said.

"I am not the kind who is scared of being seen with industrialists. There are those who don't want to meet them in public, but only behind curtains... there is not one industrialist who has not done a 'shashwat pranaam' (deferential respects) at their homes... Doesn't everyone know whose aircraft these people travel in?" he added.

Pointing out that industrialists "play an important part in developing the country", the Prime Minister added, "Why should we shame them, call them thieves?"

The hit back from Prime Minister Modi comes after the Opposition's allegations about his closeness with corrupt and absconding industrialist Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

The Congress has time and again attacked Prime Minister Modi over his alleged links with industrialists while also accusing him of ignoring the farmers and the underprivileged of the nation.