Patna, August 22 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday strongly defended the Centre’s proposed bills that seek to disqualify and sack ministers if they are lodged in jail, drawing a sharp comparison to rules already in place for government employees.

Addressing a public rally in Bihar, Modi said, “If a clerk in a government office can be suspended when sent to jail, why should the same rule not apply to a minister or a chief minister? Should there be two sets of rules in a democracy?”

The Prime Minister’s remarks came amid criticism from opposition parties, who allege the move is politically motivated and aimed at targeting leaders facing criminal cases. Several regional leaders, particularly in Bihar, have opposed the bills, calling them an attempt to interfere with state politics.

Modi countered the charge, saying the reforms were necessary to uphold transparency and accountability in governance. He stressed that the public expects the same standards of integrity from elected representatives as from civil servants.

The proposed legislation, introduced in Parliament earlier this week, mandates automatic removal of ministers and chief ministers from office if they remain in jail beyond a specified period. It is being seen as part of the government’s broader push for electoral and administrative reforms.

Observers note that the issue could become a flashpoint in Bihar, where several opposition leaders face pending cases. The debate is expected to intensify as the bills move forward in Parliament.