Modi has betrayed people: Anand Sharma

“At a time when farmers should be getting relief through loan waivers, the prime minister is celebrating. It’s being projected as if the country has transformed and reached new heights and that while he is bringing development, others are only opposing it,” Sharma said in Lucknow. “The truth, the ‘yatharthwad’, is that exports have declined for the first time in ages, national investment rate is lower than national savings rate, and the FDI has largely come in the service sector not in construction.”

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Sharma alleged that bank credit is at its lowest in 20 years. He also alleged that most of the schemes and campaigns introduced by the Modi government are just “rehash of the UPA schemes and programmes”.

“The prime minister, no doubt, is a very good event manager and a brand manager, but after two years, the time is not to celebrate but to give answers because he has betrayed the people of this country. The time is to give loan waiver to farmers,” said Sharma, calling Modi a “pracharak and a tourist”.

“Air India is yet to be paid for his (Modi’s) foreign trips, which seems more like tourism rather than diplomatic. The international relations have become worse. Russia is supporting Pakistan, there are more cases of ceasefire violations on the border. At the post of the prime minister, there should be someone serious, who understands that he is not a tourist but a representative of the Indian flag in other countries.”

Speaking on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Sharma said instead of giving “false statements”, Union Minister Arun Jaitley should ask the PM why did he oppose the Bill when they (BJP) were in opposition. Sharma alleged that this government does not want a proper dialogue or to arrive at any consensus.

“The issues raised by us are very genuine — be it withdrawing the 1 per cent surcharge or having a redressal system in place,” he said and demanded that Modi first “apologise” for calling GST “anti-constitutional and anti-people”.

On the recent controversy surrounding the arms training camp organised by the Bajrang Dal in Ayodhya, the leader alleged, “Attempts are being made and preparations are on to create tension in Uttar Pradesh. RSS and its supportive organisations are active in this regard. It is the responsibility of the central government to protect its people. Each and every citizen cannot take weapons in their hands.