If Congress gets chance, will work to achieve 8 per cent growth in GDP: FM

Hints Rahul Gandhi as Congress PM's candidate

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said that India can bounce back to 7-8 per cent in the next two years. He also said by March 31, the $81 billion current account deficit would come down to $35 billion.

Addressing a public rally in Chennai on Saturday, Union finance minister P Chidambaram said if people vote for the Congress in the upcoming elections, it would work to hike the country’s GDP growth to around eight per cent.

Digging into the Gujarat growth story, Chidambaram noted Maharashtra has attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) worth $63 billion, while Gujarat attracted only $8 billion.

“I do not know how Narendra Modi could say Gujarat received more foreign investment than Maharashtra,” he said. It may be noted, Modi is the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate and Gujarat's Chief Minister.

According to him, “the Congress doesn’t trumpet it’s achievements. That’s our problem.”

Referring to the Congress’ PM candidate, he said, “We have not yet announced our prime minister candidate. But we have given indications. We have to understand the aspirations of youth. Seniors have to give way to youngsters. If the people aged 40-45 can head Microsoft and Nokia, why not the prime minister.”

In Tamil Nadu, from where the Finance Minister hails, he said his party will fight a lone battle in Tamil Nadu. "Congress is a underdog in this elections," said Chidambaram, who said that the DMK Chief should announce that he would not be part of BJP lead Government and asked him to take a stance on that. He also said that after the election, J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK will support BJP.

While coming heavily on Tamil Nadu administration he said that in Tamil Nadu there is poverty but no hunger, thanks to the Centre's 100 days job scheme.

"I see this public meeting as an opportunity for the Congress party to present 10 years performance," said Chidambaram, who was elected was Sivaganga district in the last Parliament election.Speculation was created who will contest the Sivaganga seat after a TV channel, quoting anonymous sources, flashed that the finance minister may not contest from the District and to make way for his son.

"I'm worried about Tamilnadu now, not about congress," said Chidambaram. He said Congress has served eight generations, older that communists, British and American parties. None can doubt out patriotism.

On the previous BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule, he said, "one section ruled, Dalits did not benefit because their development does not penetrate to the grassroots, to the poor".