PM openly hurls abuses at Opposition leaders: Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to maintain the dignity of his post as he uses abusive language against the Opposition party leaders openly in public.

While addressing a press conference the senior Congressman said: " I feel that Narendra Modi is not using the post of Prime Minister in the right manner. It doesn't suit him to use abusive language against the Opposition leaders openly in public."

He added that Prime Minister uses abusive language particularly when he visits Congress ruled or non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states.

Recalling his last speech as Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh said that he regret using harsh words against Narendra Modi in 2014 when he said that his becoming a Prime Minister would prove to be a "disaster" for the country.

"I now recognise that I used a harsh word in 2014 that I should not have used. I don't want to repeat it but I think the time is up when the public at large would have a chance to pronounce itself on efficacy or otherwise of the policies which have been put in place by the Modi Government. Beyond that I would decline to comment on what I said in 2014," said Manmohan Singh.

The seasoned economist also took on the NDA government on its policies of demonetization and Goods and Services Tax by reiterating that demonetization was an act of "organised loot" and "legalised plunder." He added that "GST was implemented in a hasty manner by the government without any precaution which has created a burden on small and medium businessmen."

While talking on the contentious Ram-Mandir issue, Manmohan Singh said that all should respect whatever the decision Supreme Court takes in the matter.

Speaking on the Rafale deal, Manmohan Singh said: "The people of the country are suspicious of it. The Opposition and various groups are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee but Modi government is not ready for it. This shows that something is not right.