Oppn party accuses Centre of pursuing politics of ‘vendetta’
New Delhi : Accusing the Modi government of causing the “breakdown of the structures of governance” during its 19-month rule, Congress today sought to project it as a “failure” on all fronts, from economy to external affairs.
Giving a roundup of its assessment of the performance of the government in the year, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma accused the NDA dispensation of pursuing a politics of “vendetta” and “selectively targeting” opponents, and said it was abundantly clear that the government’s mindset was one of “perpetual confrontation” with the Opposition.
“Insulting and belittling political opponents, pursuing politics of vendetta and selective targeting would justifiably lead one to the inference that this government does not believe in bipartisan consensus on issues that concern India’s national interests,” Sharma said at the AICC briefing.
Sharma also reacted sharply to BJP spokesperson M J Akbar’s attack on his party for its charge that an industrialist had arranged the Lahore meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif.
Reacting to the Congress charge, Akbar had said, “What can be an answer to such childishness… This is not only absolutely incorrect but also reflects on the brains of people raising such questions.” Akbar had also hailed Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan as a “transformative moment” in the subcontinent.
Sharma dubbed his response as “churlish” and said that since Akbar has a good command over the English language, he should have used his words carefully. Sharma also advised Akbar to “first make himself aware” about what diplomacy is all about before making such comments.
Claiming that Congress has been consistent in its approach on the issue, Sharma said, “Our stand was not marked by turns. We did not advise the Prime Minister to engage in childish tantrums like first inviting Pakistan for his swearing-in, initiating the talk process and then suddenly cancelling it.”
“Knee-jerk responses and abrupt changes with regard to many countries have caused setbacks leading to the belittling of issues and India’s response thereto, both at the regional and international level. Hype, photo opportunities and high profile events cannot be a substitute for serious diplomacy.”
Rejecting the government charge about Congress blocking the development agenda of the government, Sharma asked whether the non-passage of a bill (GST) can be held responsible for a “free-fall” of the economy. “This is a smokescreen of the government to hide its failures,” he added.
