Ram Jethmalani, a renowned Indian lawyer, former Union Minister, and once a vocal supporter of Narendra Modi during the 2014 general elections, became one of the Prime Minister’s most outspoken critics in later years. Disillusioned by unfulfilled promises, Jethmalani publicly expressed regret for backing Modi and sought forgiveness from the Indian public for what he described as misleading them. Below is a chronological account of his key public statements against Modi, reflecting his growing discontent.
2015: The Bihar Elections Spark Outrage
Jethmalani’s shift in stance became notably public during the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections. Campaigning against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he openly accused Modi of betraying the electorate. At a public event, he declared, “Modi has cheated the people. He must suffer a defeat in Bihar because he has cheated people of the country.” He expressed personal dismay, adding, “I feel like a victim of fraud myself for having supported him.” His criticism centered on Modi’s failure to deliver on the promise of repatriating black money stashed abroad—a cornerstone of the BJP’s 2014 campaign that Jethmalani had once championed.
2016: A Public Confession in Delhi
By 2016, Jethmalani’s disillusionment had deepened, and he took his critique to a broader stage. Speaking at an event in Delhi, he made a striking admission: “I am making a confession that I helped them [BJP] to cheat you, I have come to seek your forgiveness.” This statement underscored his regret for endorsing Modi, particularly in light of the unfulfilled pledge to recover Rs 90 lakh crore in black money and distribute Rs 15 lakh to every poor family—a claim later downplayed by BJP president Amit Shah as an election “jumla” (gimmick). Jethmalani’s plea for forgiveness highlighted his belief that Modi’s leadership had misled the nation.
2016: Reiterating the Call in Lucknow
Later that year, during a visit to Lucknow, Jethmalani doubled down on his stance. Addressing an audience, he said, “I feel cheated and consider myself guilty that I helped Modi. I have come here to tell you not to believe Modi.” This marked a consistent theme in his rhetoric: personal accountability for having promoted Modi and a warning to the public against continued trust in the Prime Minister. His statements in Lucknow reinforced his narrative of betrayal, focusing again on the gap between Modi’s promises and his actions.
Jethmalani’s criticisms were rooted in his initial optimism about Modi’s leadership, particularly on issues like economic reform and anti-corruption. As a legal luminary and former BJP member, his support carried weight during the 2014 campaign. However, his later statements reflected a fallout, driven by what he saw as Modi’s failure to deliver on grandiose pledges. His critiques, as recorded, focused on policy failures rather than personal complicity in wrongdoing.
Jethmalani passed away in September 2019, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a one-time Modi ally and a vocal detractor. His public statements from 2015 to 2016 remain a notable chapter in India’s political discourse, illustrating a rare instance of a prominent figure retracting support with such candor and contrition.
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