New Delhi: Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on Emergency, Congress today cited statements of party leaders L K Advani, Yashwant Sinha and Varun Gandhi to paint him as a leader who believes in centralising all powers in his hands.
Rejecting Modi's criticism that Emergency was imposed due to "lust of power", party spokesperson Ajay Maken said, "Advaniji had said something on this issue. Perhaps his indication was towards Modiji and the government at Centre. He said that centralisation of power, one person occupying all powers, is not good. We have seen many examples of it." Alleging that Modi has concentrated all powers with himself, even like appointment of OSDs to his ministerial colleagues, Maken said, "The Prime Minister wants to be everything---Finance Minister, Minister for External Affairs, Environment Minister" and added keeping the entire administrative machinery under oneself is not good for a country like India.
Advani's statement a few days back that "forces that can crush democracy are stronger" had led to speculation that it was a barb aimed at Modi but the BJP veteran himself had rejected such suggestions. Congress and other BJP rivals were, however, quick to latch on to Advani's remarks and have been targeting Modi on the issue.
Referring to BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's statement in Mumbai on Tuesday that the present dispensation has declared those above 75 years of age as "brain dead", Maken said such remarks pointed to "voices of protest from within" due to "all-round failure" of the government.
In an apparent jibe at Modi for neglecting party veterans, Sinha, who was sidelined and denied a party ticket to contest the last Lok Sabha poll, said "All those who are above the age of 75 were declared brain dead on May 26, 2014." The Modi government had assumed office that day.
