New Delhi, Sept 30: BJP today made a pointed attack on “economist” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the first day of its national executive meeting here, alleging he and his government had “failed miserably” to combat rising prices and corruption.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley led a discussion during the conclave on the economic situation in the country and accused the Congress-led UPA government of being responsible for the problems faced by the poor. Senior party leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha also spoke on the issue.
“BJP believes the Manmohan Singh government is anti-poor, and has made a mockery of their plight through its affidavit in the Supreme Court on fixing BPL criteria. It is hurting the poor through its policies,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters while explaining the talking points of Jaitley.
He claimed the government was aiming at removing the poor and not at removing poverty.
“There is a complete policy paralysis in the government. It has converted an economy of surplus into one of shortage. Business confidence has been lost,” Javadekar said.
Jaitley alleged the government had failed to tame rising inflation while increasing taxes to get more revenue.
“Economist Prime Minister has failed miserably in conducting the economic affairs of the country,” he said.
Javadekar insisted BJP-led NDA had not allowed prices to increase during its rule and always worked on meeting the demands.
BJP alleged these “wrong” economic policies of UPA had led to “lopsided and jobless growth”.
“This has caused more inflation which has a cascading effect. The government is not addressing the supply side,” Javadekar said, adding foodgrains were rotting in godowns while the poor had to go hungry.
Jaitley maintained the current economic scenario in India is one of stagnation in growth saddled with high inflation.
“The reforms that were due have not happened. There is crony capitalism, corruption and increasing tolerance for the same within UPA. The economist Prime Minister appears to be helpless,” Jaitley said.
Rattling out figures, Javadekar insisted that while the government had announced GDP growth would be around 9 per cent, it is only seven per cent at the moment and is likely to fall to six per cent.
Inflation and unemployment were both pegged at a high double-digit 10 per cent.
“In the US, unemployment is at nine per cent and it is still a big issue there,” Javadekar said.
BJP charged production had also fallen to three percent.
“Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had promised to bring down fiscal deficit to three per cent but has not kept it,” Javadekar said. PTI
