J Ram Ramesh's claim: Will neither eat nor let eat, was a deception, Supreme Court orders CBI investigation

Senior Congress leader J Ram Ramesh on Monday alleged that the slogan "neither will I eat, nor will I let you eat" has turned out to be a "complete deception". He made the allegation in the context of the Supreme Court of India's directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to start a preliminary inquiry into the alleged contracts given to family members of the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

J Ram Ramesh said, "This is just the beginning." He hinted that similar issues may surface in other states as well. He claimed, "There are similar cases in many other states, where family members have been benefited," and added that at least one more Chief Minister from the northeast may soon come under the scanner.

The Supreme Court's order comes amidst allegations of conflict of interest and misuse of office in the allocation of public contracts. Although the court has not made a final judgment in the case, it has found enough grounds to direct a preliminary probe by the CBI, which could lead to a full-fledged investigation based on the findings.

Ramesh argued that this development exposes a deep-seated issue of governance. Referring to the anti-corruption agenda often highlighted in political discourse, he said, "The slogan has just become a phrase. Now the truth is slowly coming out." His remarks have intensified the political bitterness between the opposition and the ruling establishment, while the government has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, stating that the inquiry is still in its initial stage.

Legal experts say that the purpose of the CBI's preliminary inquiry is to determine whether there is enough evidence to register a formal case. A legal analyst clarified, "It would not be right to pronounce anyone guilty at this stage. The picture will become clear only after the inquiry."

As the investigation process begins, the case is expected to remain politically charged, with opposition leaders emphasizing accountability and the government stressing the importance of institutional procedure and evidence-based outcomes. Government sources also emphasized that the law should be allowed to take its course before any allegation is accepted as fact.