With the Punjab Assembly Elections just days away, former Prime Minister and veteran Congress leader Manmohan Singh launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government.
The former PM said that instead of trying to rectify the mistakes it made in the last seven-and-half years, the government is simply focusing on attacking independent India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. “I categorically believe that the post of Prime Minister has a special significance. Simply by blaming history, one cannot mitigate their own mistakes,” Singh said, adding, “As a prime minister of 10 years, instead of talking, I focused on my work.”
Singh also accused the BJP of being divisive and added, “I never divided the country for my political gains. I did not compromise on the dignity of the nation and the post of prime minister. Despite the challenges, I raised the pride and honour of my country.”
In a veiled swipe at PM Modi, Singh said, “I hope that the incumbents would have realised by now that by hugging leaders, making them sit in swings and stopping by uninvited to have biryani does not improve bilateral relations. The government should also realise that it cannot change its character by changing its face. The truth comes out in some form or the other.”
The ex-PM also questioned the government’s foreign policy saying “The issue is not just of internal tensions. This government has proved a complete failure even on foreign policy. Chinese soldiers are sitting in our land for a year. And attempts are being made to bury the entire matter.”
He said India is at a significant crossroads today, “old friends are getting alienated and relations with neighbours are deteriorating”.
Accusing the BJP government of weakening constitutional bodies, the former PM said the ruling dispensation did not have “even one bit faith in the Constitution which is the basis of India’s democracy”.
The former PM said it was easy to talk big but very tough to implement that talk.
“Elections are under way in five states. The people of Punjab face major challenges and it is important to face them effectively. It is important to address the issues of farmers and joblessness and take the state on the road to development. Only the Congress can do these things. I urge Punjabis to support the Congress,” Singh said.
The former PM also accused the government of trying to defame Punjab and Pubjabiyat during the farmers’ agitation. Punjab, a state whose sacrifices the world acknowledges, was insulted, he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
