Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday sharpened his attack on the government, alleging that the slogan “Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga” had turned out to be a “complete hoax,” as he pointed to the Supreme Court of India’s directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch a preliminary inquiry into contracts allegedly awarded to relatives of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister.
Calling the development a potential starting point for wider revelations, Ramesh said, “This is just the beginning. Kai anya rajyon mein bhi aise hi mamle hain, jahan parivar ke logon ko fayda pahunchaya gaya hai.” He further suggested that similar allegations could emerge from other states, including the Northeast, hinting that at least one chief minister may soon face scrutiny.
The Supreme Court’s direction comes against the backdrop of allegations involving conflict of interest and possible misuse of public office in the awarding of government contracts. While the court has not made any conclusive observations, it has found sufficient basis to order a preliminary probe—an initial step that could lead to a full investigation depending on what the inquiry reveals.
Ramesh argued that the episode reflects a deeper issue in governance. “Yeh naara sirf ek jumla ban kar reh gaya hai. Ab dheere-dheere sach saamne aa raha hai,” he said, intensifying the political pitch around the issue.
The remarks have triggered a fresh round of exchanges between the opposition and the ruling establishment. Government sources, however, urged caution, stressing that the inquiry is still at a preliminary stage and that no conclusions should be drawn prematurely. They emphasised that due process must be followed and that findings—not allegations—should guide any judgment.
Legal experts echoed a similar view, noting that a preliminary inquiry by the CBI is meant to assess whether sufficient evidence exists to register a formal case. “Is stage par kisi ko doshi thehrana theek nahi hoga. Inquiry ke baad hi tasveer saaf hogi,” a legal analyst said.
With the probe set to get underway, the issue is likely to remain politically sensitive, as opposition leaders push for accountability and the government reiterates the need for institutional integrity and evidence-based conclusions.