Unleashing a sarcastic attack on the BJP-led Union Government, the Congress has charged it for playing in the hands of few handpicked corporate houses. The party on the occasion of the completion of one year of the Narendra Modi Government in the office, also rated it as most disappointing Governments the country had seen so far in its first year.
“Sushma Swaraj is Foreign Minister of the country, but just on papers. (Gautam) Adani is the real one. That is why Modiji takes him on each and every foreign tour while barring one or two occasions, Sushma Swaraj has not accompanied him ever,” said AICC general secretary and party leader Shakil Ahmed while addressing media on Friday.
The party came down heavily on the BJP Government for going back from most of the promises it had made before coming to power and compared minimum support price and loan waiver given to farmers during the previous UPA regime. “Farmers suicides had also taken place during our time but we compensated them adequately. Now meager increases have been made in MSP of farm produces while Adani is getting loan on two per cent interest. Good days have come but only for Modiji, Adaniji, some BJP leaders and some of the Prime Minister’s corporate friends. In the 68 years of history none of the Governments have disappointed so much as this,” added the leader.
He claimed that industrial growth remained at the lowest of 20 months while export was also at six months low. Talking about land Bill introduced by the Government, Shakil Ahmed termed it anti-farmer in the light of the removal of social impact assessment clause and provision for return of land to farmers if project does not get started within stipulated time.
“The Prime Minister has not only failed on domestic fronts but also brought disrepute on foreign soils when he said twice that earlier people taking birth in India were ashamed of doing so. He was also born before May 16, 2014. A BJP president was caught on camera taking money and also then Foreign Minister. Never any Congress Ministers or the PM mentioned about this on foreign soil,” said Ahmed and added the CAG had said in its report on Gujarat that Rs40,000 crore of undue favours were made to Adani and also about Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on his role in Party Group, but the PM was silent. He also charged the Government for dragging its feet from agriculture reform by adopting the Swaminathan Committee recommendations and slashing Budget in priority sectors.