Comparing Nehru and Modi illogical, says Congress

All India Congress Committee spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore on Wednesday ridiculed the BJP for comparing the tenures of Jawaharlal Nehru and Narendra Modi while celebrating the latter’s 12 years in office, and said drawing parallels between the two prime ministers was illogical.

Addressing mediapersons in Shimla, Rathore said, “Instead of celebrating 12 years of Modi, the BJP should explain why his Government failed to resolve the issues of farmers, inflation and unemployment”.

He remarked that what is important is not how long a prime minister remains in office but what he does for the development and prosperity of the nation and the strengthening of its democracy. Nehru relentlessly fought for the country’s freedom, went to jail several times, and laid the foundation for a modern India by opening educational institutions, boosting science and technology, strengthening developmental infrastructure and launching five-year plans. Comparing Modi with him is neither logical nor judicious, the AICC spokesperson said.

All the former prime ministers significantly contributed to nation-building, but unemployment peaked during Modi’s 12 years in power, he alleged, adding that “the youth is frustrated, the gap between rich and poor has widened, and policies are being framed to benefit big industrialists and not the common man”.

Questioning the Government’s foreign policy, he said global developments indicate that India is not in a position of strength at the international level and “even our trusted allies are maintaining distance”.

Pointing to the issues of Himachal Pradesh, Rathore said the Modi Government had promised to hike import duty on apples, but instead, the Free Trade Agreements it entered into significantly increased imports, affecting local growers. Referring to the recent paper leaks, Rathore demanded that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradesh resign on moral grounds. He alleged that the Government is insensitive to the plight of the youth.

He added that he supported the statements of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on the threat to democracy and India’s critical financial situation.