Apsara Reddy: NDA govt failed on many fronts, people working on ‘Pradhanmantri Hatao Yojana’

Congress general secretary Apsara Reddy on Wednesday claimed that people were planning to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power as his NDA government "completely failed" on several fronts.

Reddy also criticised Modi over his recent remarks against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"People are clearly designing the 'Pradhanmantri Hatao Yojana' (remove PM scheme), as the NDA government has completely failed on several fronts," she told reporters in Panaji, Goa.

"The way a woman like (Congress general secretary) Priyanka Gandhi is attacked, it should not be encouraged in a democratic set up. Also, what Modi said about late PM Rajiv Gandhi shows India in poor light in front of the entire world," the Congress leader said.

Modi in a rally on Saturday had targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale issue and said "your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1' (corrupt number 1)".

Taking a jibe at a recent 'non-political' interview of Prime Minister Modi taken by actor Akshay Kumar, Reddy said, "When the country is facing issues like poverty and unemployment, our PM speaks about eating mangoes, that too with a Canadian citizen (Kumar)."

She also demanded an apology from Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai's statement that his Goa Forward Party will "weaponise" the youth if clauses like domicile in government jobs are diluted.

Responding to a question on dilution of domicile clause by the Goa University, Sardesai on Tuesday said, "We are willing to go anywhere to protect the interests of Goans.

And if our government has made a mistake, then we will weaponise them (youth) to ensure that Goanness is protected." Condemning the remarks, Reddy said, "Vijai wants to weaponise the youth. It is against the culture and values of Goa. Goa is about togetherness,Goa is celebrated for its peace-loving culture, the tourism (business) is so big here." She said Sardesai's remarks showed that they were trying to create an atmosphere of "fear" in the state.