Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi faced a major embarrassment when students of the Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru shouted down his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two pet projects, ‘Make in India’ and ‘Swachchh Bharat.’
Addressing nearly 1,500 students, Rahul said, “Though the BJP has come to power, I don’t see a strategy. I don’t see a clear direction. I see a lot of talk. I hear talk about clean your country. I mean, are we seriousIJ Clean your country is a strategic national Government programme. Well, it’s not working, is itIJ” Gandhi asked. “Yes,” the students shouted.
But Rahul persisted, “Are you seriousIJ You see it workingIJ Okay. I don’t see Swachchh Bharat working.” Then Rahul switched to ‘Make in India’, another flagship programme of the Government. “Do you think Make in India is workingIJ” he asked. Again, the crowd cheered “Yes”.
Unfazed, Rahul took a snipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the country was being run by just one person and that an individual alone cannot bring transformation. During his question and answer session, he said, “Suit-boot Government is failing on all fronts.”
“The only way to transform this country is not through one man, but with every Indian’s help, with the participation of the poor.” “Not once has the PM called up anyone in the Congress. Democracy is about conversation,” he added.
He held the Narendra Modi Government responsible for the rising intolerance in the country and criticised PM’s style of governance.
He said that PM Modi believed that India can be run by PMO and he can transform the country, but India could be transformed only if the poor are involved in the process.
Regarding the Goods and Services Tax, he said, “Congress feels that GST is important but there are certain issues and Government should reach out to Opposition to discuss them.”
He alleged that the Modi Government is a failure as it has not been able to generate jobs and favours only a few corporates close to the dispensation. He said the Indian economy is in doldrums, country is not moving forward and that foreign investors say nothing is working.
On the issue of intolerance he said, “I don’t like what is happening. It disturbs me as an Indian.” Continuing his offensive against the Centre, Rahul said that corruption in the Narendra Modi Government would be out in the open very soon.