Accuses PM of ruining relations with neighbours
The Congress on Friday criticised the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi was carrying out his foreign policy and accused him of “ruining” relations with neighbors too. While the party expressed concern over the Government not “engaging meaningfully with Middle East”, it also pointed the growing proximity of Russia with Pakistan as the duo are engaged in arms deal and talks are going on.
AICC spokesperson Anand Sharma also ridiculed the way the Prime Minister was projected while participating in multi-lateral meetings. It seemed that only Modi addresses such gathering, “rest all is audience”, he said, adding that such an impression was “very pathetic”. He said that the Congress would press for a discussion on foreign policy and its direction in the current Session of Parliament.
The party also claimed that the NDA Government is planning to impose a cess on petroleum products and that the party would strongly oppose this move. Sharma said that when the prices of crude oil have reached a record low in international market, the new Central Government has not brought down their prices in the domestic market commensurately.
Sharma, who is the Deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, disputed suggestions that the economy was improving in the six months under the NDA rule.
He suggested that despite tall claims of the Modi government for ushering in a better investment climate, the fact remains that the net inflow of FDI is less than its outflow. Besides, he said that whatever FDI is coming is not coming as equity but in debt instruments.
The former commerce minister also said that agriculture is in distress. Sharma said that farmers are in trouble as the Food Corporation of India has drastically reduced purchase of food grains.