'PM Modi has become an NRI', says Lalu Yadav

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently in Melbourne as part of his four-city Australian tour, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday quipped that the former had become a Non Resident Indian.

"He is not the Prime Minister of the country anymore, he has become an NRI and the media is portraying that Modi's popularity is booming abroad when there is trouble at our borders," Lalu told the media in Ranchi.

He also made a barb at the BJP-led government's promise to bring back black money stashed in safe havens abroad within 100 days of coming to power.

"Prime Minister Modi spoke of getting black money back in 100 days. Did it happen?" asked Lalu.

The former Bihar chief minister also condemned the 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan' and dubbed it as an excuse for a photo opportunity.

"They (BJP) have cheated people, bought media, spread garbage around and pretend to clean it for photo ops," he said.

The BJP leaders, however, hailed Prime Minister Modi's ongoing Australia visit.

BJP leader G.V.L. Narsimha Rao said that the Prime Minister had communicated well with the people in Australia.

Another BJP leader Subramanian Swamy echoing similar sentiments termed Prime Minister Modi's visit to Australia as successful, saying the latter had raised the issue of black money very well.

Earlier today, Prime Minister held a round table discussion with the Australian CEOs in Melbourne during which he discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation education, services, energy, banking and information technology.

He is also scheduled to attend an expatriate Indian community reception at the 161-year-old historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and two other events hosted by his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott later in the day.