Anand Sharma criticizes Modi's developmental model, says 'packaging good, product substandard'

Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, took a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his developmental model, and said that his packaging was attractive, but the product may be substandard.

Sharma, along with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, signed agreements related to the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project.

Jibing at Modi, Sharma slammed him for making boastful announcements of investments.

"He is (Narendra Modi) being packaged and marketed. Sometimes, you have to see what the product is. Packaging can look very attractive but the product will not be good, may be substandard. When you look at Gujarat model, look at Maharashtra, these are neighbouring states. Mr Modi has talked of the developmental model, the investments in the state of Gujarat. Now, what is the truth?"said Sharma.

Modi has roots in hard line pro-Hindu politics, but he has focused his election campaign almost entirely on his economic achievements in Gujarat, which has witnessed double-digit economic growth for a decade.

He has the strong support India's corporate sector and investors, who hope he will replicate Gujarat's economic model on a national scale.

Sharma also said Modi was presenting false figures about investments in the state.

"Gujarat has got US $8 billion of investment between 2000 and 2013. Now, Mr. Modi and BJP feel that the number 8 is bigger than 63 or 34 then I can't help. I do not know where they studied their mathematics. These are the hard facts," Sharma also said.