Left parties are witches in the fairy tale of India's growth story: Meenakshi Lekhi

New Delhi: BJP member Meenakshi Lekhi attacked left parties in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday calling them as the "witch"in the fairy tale of India's growth story. Lekhi stated that while the Modi government was making efforts towards development, the Left parties are acting as roadblocks.

"When we were children, we saw some witch or some demon in the fairy tales. Likewise, there are witches in every growth story," BJP member Meenakshi Lekhi said while initiating the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President for his address.

Amid sharp protests from CPI(M) members, Lekhi pointed out killings allegedly committed by Left cadres in the southern poll-bound state and accused them of committing "atrocities on campus" and "white-washing their brutalities through repressive policies".

"They have committed Taliban fashion of executions," she alleged, amid vociferous protests by Left members.

The attack on the Left also came against the backdrop of CPI(M) and its allies being in the forefront in targeting the BJP and the Centre over the JNU row.

Lekhi said while the Narendra Modi government was making strides amid a volatile global economic scenario, the Left parties keep raising issues to "derail" development.

The attack on the Left came soon after the Prime Minister entered the House and a BJP MP passed on some papers to Lekhi, apparently reminding her to raise certain issues.

Lekhi in her speech highlighted that India is emerging despite the volatile international markets.

"With 7% GDP growth, India is emerging as a leader in the global economic sphere despite adverse international conditions," Lekhi said.

India's economy is $2 trillion and $8 trillion on PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) basis, she said, adding that through 'Make In India', the Prime Minister wants to make the country a global manufacturing hub.

On foreign policy, she said the government has done immense work barring a few glitches in neighbourhood but did not elaborate.

Referring to the recent terror attack in Pathankot, Lekhi said it was one of the worst and the government had handled it very differently. The country has to face state as well as non-state actors in dealing with terrorism, she noted.