In PM mode, Modi spells out strategy on big issues

Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Centre of poor governance and bias against non-Cong states while offering views, and sometimes solutions, on a range of issues on a busy day in the Capital. HT reports. Modi has a date with business, politics in Bengal | Modi's mantra

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Centre of poor governance and bias against non-Congress states while offering views, and sometimes solutions, on a range of issues on a busy day in the Capital.

Lack of trust in governance posed a threat to the country, the Gujarat strongman, widely seen as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate for the for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, said while making a case for decentralisation of power.

“The common man does not have faith in the government. There is no government, there is no governance,” Modi said at a CNN-IBN event. The CM, recently promoted to the BJP’s decision-making body, took up a host of national issues, which many saw as a sales pitch for a bigger role in Delhi. Calling for skill development for youth, Modi said India’s democracy and its young population were its strengths vis-à-vis China.

Talking about economic policies, Modi reiterated his party’s opposition to FDI in retail but said he supported foreign direct investment in various other sectors. He even had his take on the foreign policy. The CM suggested that the ministry of external affairs be split, with a wing only handling ties with the neighbouring countries.

Accusing Centre of being partisan, he said, “When funds are to be disbursed to states, they (the Centre) see the gotra (clan) of the state government. Here, the problems begin.”

“Once the Planning Commission earmarked Rs 200-crore for saving the tiger. I asked them: Is tiger secular and lion communal?... The Planning Commission agreed with me and wrote to the government, but nothing happened.” Gir in Gujarat is home to the Asiatic lion.

Gujarat CM Narendra Modi addresses a gathering of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization (FLO) during its 29th annual session in New Delhi. (AP Photo)