Modi is 'chowkidar' of corrupt, says Congress

The Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of "doing nothing" on issues it held dear, saying he has become "chowkidar of the corrupt".

Before he took over as prime minister, Narendra Modi would say that parliament would be rid of corrupt people, even if they belonged to his own Bharatiya Janata Party, former union minister Kapil Sibal told a press conference here on the eve of beginning of monsoon session of parliament.

"He (Modi) said he was a 'chowkidar' (watchman) of the nation's wealth and would not allow the corrupt to steal it. But now he has become the 'chowkidar' of the corrupt," claimed Sibal.He alleged that eight of new faces inducted in the government had declared criminal cases."There are twice as many ministers facing criminal cases as the previous UPA," he said.

Sibal also alleged that there was confusion in the government over its policy concerning Pakistan and China, while it was not giving due importance to African and West Asian countries in its foreign policy.

On the smooth functioning of parliament, Sibal said the BJP when in opposition would maintain that obstruction was part of its parliamentary strategy, but now it seemed to be thinking otherwise.

"Top BJP leaders used to say obstruction is part of parliamentary strategy," he noted.