United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “rhetoric shows his desperation” and reflected the beginning of the “reverse countdown” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.
Addressing a meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) held at the Parliament House in the national capital, she said the people of the country have to be rescued from a “dangerous regime that is compromising” with India’s democracy.
Attacking the Centre for its “failures”, the former Congress president cautioned the people on the “reign of despair and fear” that the Modi government has “heaped upon” India’s poor.
To counter the organisational might and financial power of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), she said that the Opposition parties have to come together and form strategic alliances, for which “personal ambitions” need to be kept aside.
“We are committed to forming alliances and ensure these tie-ups work. We are all with Rahul Gandhi in this endeavour,” a Congress leader quoted her as having said in the meeting.
In his address, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rejected the “culture of constant self-praise and jumlas” of the Prime Minister. “This stood against solid policy framework necessary for driving the engine of growth,” he was quoted to having said in the meeting by Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
{{/usCountry}}In his address, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rejected the “culture of constant self-praise and jumlas” of the Prime Minister. “This stood against solid policy framework necessary for driving the engine of growth,” he was quoted to having said in the meeting by Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
{{/usCountry}}Singh had earlier blamed the Modi government for its “disastrous policies” and “economic mismanagement”. He said the country was facing crises that were avoidable. Singh pointed out that claim of doubling farm income by 2022 would require an agricultural growth rate of 14%. “But this is nowhere in sight.”
“We will support Rahul Gandhi in his onerous task of restoring India’s social harmony and economic development,” the former Prime Minister said.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said all negative decisions were taken in the meeting whose sole focus was defeating Modi. “Congress is playing the role of a suicide bomber. They have decided not to allow growth.”
Referring to Sonia’s statement that Modi government’s of reverse countdown has begun, he alleged that those who had driven the country in reverse gear for 10 years should not make such comments. He said the reverse countdown of dynastic politics had started in 2014.