Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took a swipe at the BJP government on Thursday for its economic and foreign policies.
“They have no understanding of economic policy. The issue is not limied to the nation. this government has also failed on foreign policy. China is sitting at our borders and efforts are being made to suppress it,” Singh said.
“I hope the PM has understood that foreign policy cannot be conducted by forcibly hugging leaders, swinging on swings or feeding them biryani,” he said.
Former Prime Minister’s video statement comes just before the polling for Assembly elections in Punjan on 20 February.
“On one hand, people are facing problems of inflation and unemployment, on the other, the present government, in power for the last seven and a half years, rather than admitting their mistakes and rectifying them, is still blaming first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for people’s problems,” Dr Singh said.
“I feel that the PM’s position has a special significance. The PM should maintain dignity rather than blame history to downplay faults. When I was Prime Minister for 10 years, I spoke through my work. I never let the country lose prestige before the world. I never undermined India’s pride,” said the 89 year old.
“I have at least this satisfaction that after the false accusations against me of being weak , quiet and corrupt, the BJP and its B and C-team are getting exposed in front of the country.” the two-time Prime Minister further said.
According to Singh, Narendra Modi “government’s fake nationalism is hollow and dangerous.”
He went on to say: “We never divided the country for vested political gain. We never tried to hide the truth. We never undermined the esteem of the country or PM’s position. People today are being divided. This government’s fake nationalism is hollow and dangerous. Their nationalism is based on the British policy of divide and rule. Constitutional institutions are being weakened.”
“They (BJP-led govt) have no understanding of economic policy,” Manmohan Singh said. “Rich people are getting richer while the poor people are getting poorer,” he added while slamming the Union government for the current economic state of affairs in the country.
Dr Singh also spoke about the security breach that left Prime Minister’s convoy stuck on a flyover in Punjab for 20 minutes because of protesting farmers.
“A few days ago, in the name of the prime minister’s security, an attempt was made to defame Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the people of the state. During the farmers’ agitation, too, an attempt was made to defame Punjab and Punjabiyat. The world salutes the bravery, patriotism and sacrifice of Punjabis, but the NDA government did not talk about any of this. As a true Indian from Punjab, all these things deeply hurt me,” he said.
The single-phase polling in Punjab to elect the 117 assembly members is due in 3 days ( on February 20). The counting of votes in Punjab will take place on March 10.
