Cong slams PM Modi's opposition-attacking mentality, habit of using 'big' words

Dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vigorous campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in five states of the country as 'lowering the dignity of his office', the Congress called him out for his knack of using 'big' and 'flashy' words to woo the voters, but not reflecting the same in the work done for the people.

Congress leader Anand Sharma also advised PM Modi to learn to take criticism.

"PM Modi has continuously been bringing down the level of a proper political discourse. We assumed once he takes the office as the Prime Minister, he would understand the great responsibility which comes with the chair and he would put an end to such rhetoric. But his mentality has always been of humiliating the opposition, which is not in favour of democracy. He is lowering the dignity of his office. He should learn to take criticism too," Sharma told ANI.

"It is his habit of giving various flashy acronyms like the Digital India, Start up India, Make in India, etc. But his work doesn't reflect any such fanciness. He only tries to trap people in his big mesh of words, keeping them far away from reality," he added.

Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) only agenda is development, PM Modi, at a rally in Aligarh a day before, had introduced the concept of VIKAS wherein V stood for - Vidyut (electricity), K - Kaanoon (law and order), and S - Sadak (roads).

He said, "We are working day and night to ensure that every corner of India has electricity. We are making good progress. I am confident that electricity will reach every factory and household very soon. We are very close to achieving this. In fact we are working towards Uttar Pradesh's Vikas."

Sharma also held PM Modi for the negativity that has seeped into the Indian political system.

"History bears testimony to the relentless service of the Congress towards the nation. Similarly, the Samajwadi Party is a political party that has served Uttar Pradesh for so many years. Elections should be fought on policies, schemes and plans and nothing else. This is why such negativity has seeped into the domain of political discourse and PM Modi is very much responsible for the scenario," he said.

"It's been over three years since he has taken the office, he should talk about the works his government has done. And he should own up to the umpteen number of promises he made but didn't fulfil. He apologise to people," he added.

The Prime Minister had, while addressing a rally in Meerut a few days back, attacked the BJP's opposing parties in Uttar Pradesh and said that the state will not show any progress unless it is free from corruption, which can be achieved only if the 'SCAM' (S-Samajwadi Party, C-Congress, A-AkhileshYadav, M-Mayawati) is removed from power, adding that UP has the potential to be India's most prosperous state.

"The ruling Government in Uttar Pradesh is one that needs to be removed from power immediately, because they are a Government that collectively supports rogues and goons. There is no value for anybody's life in this state. One has no guarantee that he or she will return home alive after stepping out of his/her home. This state has made me what I am and I will not rest until this government is replaced," he said.

Uttar Pradesh will be voting for a new state assembly in a seven-phase election between February 11 and March 8.

Out of the 403 assembly seats, the Congress will be contesting in 105 seats and the Samajwadi Party will field its candidates in rest of the 298 seats.