The Narendra Modi government is trying to weaken democracy, his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, said in Indore on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and other States, the former Prime Minister addressed a press conference, his first.
“The country has witnessed the credibility of institutions like Parliament and CBI being systematically denigrated. There is a careful, well-thought-out and calibrated effort to weaken democracy,” he said, reading out from a written statement. “The rule of law is under attack. History shall never forgive our present generation if the situation is not changed,” Dr. Singh said.
Answering questions later, he criticised the Prime Minister’s conduct. “It does not befit the PM to abuse political opponents,” he said, accusing him of using “unparliamentary words” against the Opposition.
Asked about his 2014 comments that Narendra Modi as PM would be a disaster to the country, he said he did not want to comment on his earlier remarks.
“I used harsh words which I should not have. Now people will make the decision,” he added.
In a veiled reference to developments in the RBI and the CBI, Dr. Singh said the Modi government was trying to prevail over big institutions, and this would be detrimental to democracy and the law of the land.
“The relationship between the RBI and the Finance Ministry has hit a low,” the former Union Finance Minister and Reserve Bank Governor said, adding there is a need for “harmony and coordination”.
“The RBI Governor and the Finance Minister have a delicate relationship. Both have to work together. Even though the job of running the country rests with the government, specific responsibility is given to the RBI Governor by the RBI Act. There is a need to recognise interdependence of the two entities and work in harmony,” he said.
“I am happy with the efforts being made to bring reconciliation. Both need to work in harmony with each other,” he said.
“The maximum number of people in India, who ended their life due to unemployment, belong to BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
He criticised the State government led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan for failing to provide employment opportunities to youth. He cited an instance in February this year when 2,81,000 persons, some holding Ph.D.s, applied for 738 posts of peon.
Dr. Singh also attacked the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government on various alleged scams such as Vyapam.
