Cong counters Time magazine’s ‘underachiever’ remark against PM

His remarks came in response to questions on the TIME magazine’s Asia edition featuring 79-year-old Singh on its cover,whose title,with his portrait in the background,reads ‘The Underachiever – India needs a reboot’.

The issue of the magazine,which will be out next week,says Singh appears “unwilling to stick his neck out” on reforms that will put the country back on growth path.

The BJP today attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh following criticism of his performance by Time Magazine,saying he had only sent a message of “disillusionment,corruption and a leaderless economy”.

Singh,who has long been lauded for his pivotal role in liberalising the Indian economy,has been dubbed as an “underachiever” by the US magazine which says he appears “unwilling to stick his neck out” on reforms that will put the country back on growth path.

“Definitely,he is not an achiever…. All that he has achieved is corruption,scam and bad governance…. He is an honest prime minister of the most corrupt government,” BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters here while referring to the magazine report.

BJP leader Tarun Vijay said the same US magazine had lauded the performance of its Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

“There is a sharp contrast between the two Indians who had been featured on Time magazine. While a story on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was that he meant business and gave a message of prosperity,security,infrastructure development and progress for the country specially people of Gujarat,the other Indian who has been featured is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,who is giving a message of despair,disillusionment,corruption,leaderless economy and downslide of Indian rupee,” he said.

The Congress countered the criticism saying in the past eight years the UPA government headed by Singh has provided political stability,social harmony,internal cohesion,economic growth and a greater role in global affairs.

“This by no stretch of imagination is under achievement,” party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

RJD leader Lalu Prasad also came out in defence of the government saying the TIME report must have been “dictated” by Team Anna.

“People like Anna Hazare and Kejriwala had given dictation to the American magazine,” he said.

Praising the government,Lalu said UPA projects are doing well and asked,”What will America say as their own economy is shattered?”.

Team Anna member Manish Sisodia said the “government of the day needs to be set responsible for all these things. When Manmohan Singh took over he was supposed to be an honest person. He was supposed to deliver,which he has totally failed to deliver. Everyday a new case of corruption comes up.”

79-year-old Singh is featured on the cover of TIME magazine’s Asia edition,which will be out next week. With his portrait in the background,the title on the cover reads ‘The Underachiever – India needs a reboot’.

Team Anna is waging an agitation for Lokpal and has been attacking the government on the issue of corruption.

Sisodia said,”We need not have an opinion from TIME magazine. We,sitting in India,can also understand what is happening here.”

Janata Party president Subranian Swamy accused Singh of “creating a mess in country”.

“As for Manmohan Singh’s professional qualification is concerned,what is important is to know that talent is not in short supply in India. Question therefore is whether he has done the right thing by being so passive,submissive and spineless in office,” Swamy said.

Referring to economic reforms,Swamy claimed the blueprints were prepared by him under the previous Chandrasekhar government and were executed by Narashimha Rao as prime minister.