Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at the opposition, especially the Congress, for opposing three new legislations that seek to disqualify prime ministers, chief ministers and ministers who remain under arrest for 30 consecutive days. Addressing a rally in poll-bound Bihar, the Prime Minister asked why governments should be allowed to function from behind bars.
“If a government employee is imprisoned for 50 hours, then he loses his job automatically, be it a driver, a clerk or a peon. But should a chief minister, a minister, or even a Prime Minister stay in the government even while being in jail?” PM Modi said in his first public remarks on the issue.
एनडीए सरकार बिहार के चहुंमुखी विकास के लिए पूरी तरह से प्रतिबद्ध है। इसी कड़ी में आज गया जी की पवित्र धरती से हजारों करोड़ रुपये के विकास कार्यों के लोकार्पण-शिलान्यास का सौभाग्य मिला है। https://t.co/saWtEc4Vie
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2025
“Why should governments be allowed to run from jail? Should tainted ministers continue with their posts? The people expect their leaders to uphold moral integrity,” he added.
Bills Propose Removal After 30 Days in Jail
Earlier this week, the government introduced three key legislations in Parliament — the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The proposed laws mandate that if the prime minister, any Union minister or chief minister is arrested and detained in custody for 30 consecutive days for offences carrying a jail term of at least five years, they will automatically lose their position on the 31st day.
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The Bills have been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament after triggering heated debates and strong opposition from rival parties.
With elections approaching, PM Modi’s sharp remarks are likely to set the stage for an intense political confrontation over accountability, integrity and governance standards.
