The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh citing criticism of his performance by the Time magazine, saying he had only sent a message of “disillusionment, corruption and a leaderless economy”.
Dr. Singh 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 the 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 in New Delhi while referring to the magazine report.
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BJP leader Tarun Vijay said the same U.S. 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 for people of Gujarat, the other Indian who has been featured is giving a message of despair, disillusionment, corruption, leaderless economy and downslide of Indian rupee,” he said.
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The Congress countered the criticism saying in the past eight years the UPA government headed by Dr. 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.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (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 Kejriwal had given dictation to the American magazine,” he said.
Praising the government, Mr. 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.”