GUWAHATI, Oct 25 - Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the top leadership of the ruling BJP have indulged in systematic demolition of important national institutions.
�Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP top brass have indulged in systematic demolition of important national institutions, the latest instance of which is the farcical developments involving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The illegal and unconstitutional removal of CBI Director Alok Verma was motivated by the Prime Minister�s fear of the Rafale deal being properly probed and also his desire to protect his alleged prot�g�e, Rakesh Asthana, Special Director of the CBI, who is under the scanner on corruption charges,� said Saikia.
He added, �After targeting various institutions including the Judiciary and the banking sector, the Prime Minister and his coterie have now set a new benchmark for dictatorial behaviour by unilaterally removing the CBI Director even though the rules stipulate that such a step can only be taken by the Prime Minister with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Leader of the Opposition.�
Saikia said that Modi should show respect for democratic norms even at this late stage and reinstate Alok Verma as the CBI Director since the latter�s two-year tenure has not yet run its course.