Congress questions PM Modi's claims about 'strengthening federalism'

The Congress Party on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his assertions about strengthening federalism and said if the Chief Ministers have to 'protest on the streets for legitimate rights of their states then it is a death blow to the entire conception of federalism'.

Congress leader Manish Tewari, who was reacting to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 24-hour fast against the Land Acquisition Bill, said there is a strange dichotomy.

"The Prime Minister talks about strengthening federalism, he talks about strengthening states. This is precisely the advice which he gave to the Sri Lankan Parliament. But how do you strengthen a state? You strengthen it by ensuring that their legitimate aspirations are met," said Tewari.

"And, therefore, whether it is West Bengal, whether it is Bihar, you have Chief Ministers having to demonstrate, come out on the streets, do dharnas and take out processions in order to get the legitimate rights of their states. Is this strengthening federalism or is this weakening federalism? In fact, if Chief Ministers have to come out on the streets; this is a death blow to the entire conception of federalism," he added.

Addressing the Sri Lankan Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Modi had said that his priority is to make the states in India stronger.

"I am a firm believer in cooperative federalism. So, we are devolving more power and more resources to the states. And, we are making them formal partners in national decision making processes," he added.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Chief Minister today went on a 24-hour fast in Patna as part of the JD (U)'s state-wide agitation against the Centre's Land Acquisition Bill.

The JD (U) MPs, MLAs and office bearers are also observing similar fast across the state against the Land Acquisition Bill.

The JD (U) had earlier dubbed the Land Acquisition Bill introduced by the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre in Parliament as 'anti-farmer' and 'pro-corporate'.