Congress plenary 2018: Chidambaram blames Modi for robbing people, pushing them to poverty

In what can be termed a blistering attack on the Modi-led BJP government, former finance minister P Chidambaram said that the BJP has robbed people and pushed them to poverty in last four years.

Moving a resolution on the economic issues ranging from the growth rate to demonetisation to per capita GDP in the plenary, Chidambaram stated the Modi government had destroyed the economy step by step.

“Many thought I would not stand here to speak to you, present the economic resolution. But I am here because I draw my strength from each one of you. There is a steel instilled in me because of my 45 years association with the Congress. I have seen Sonia Gandhi leading party 20 yrs and that helped the steel in me to grow."

Quoting the findings of the Economic Survey – 2018, Chidambaram questioned why the Modi government had not addressed the problems faced by the country. He said that Modi made tall promises but could not deliver.

Daring Modi to answer the nation, Chidambaram said that country is facing four major problems - education, health, agriculture and unemployment. “I want to ask Modi what he has done in the last four years,” he said.

“The Modi Government inherited a strong economy. The task of development has to be continued by future generations. However, today, the Indian economy is decoupled from the world economy which is growing,” pointed out Chidambaram.

“Only the Congress party can take the country out of the economic crisis. I am not saying this out of arrogance, but because we have done it before and can do it again. It is the biggest achievement of Manmohan Singh that 14 crore people were taken out of poverty. BJP government pushed people into poverty. Now, the number of people below the poverty line has risen. It's the greatest disservice the BJP govt has done to the country,” emphasised Chidambaram.

“Demonetisation was a big lie. RBI is still counting and won't tell us how much money has come back. I would like to advice the RBI Governor to go to Tirupati and get the hundi collectors. They count money faster than the RBI,” quipped Chidambaram.