Sonia attacks Modi for criticising rivals on foreign soil

Said the Modi government as 'anti-poor' which was working only to benefit the rich

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today assailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "lowering" the dignity of his office by criticising his political opponents on foreign soil, saying it reflected his "narrow mindedness" and "low-level politics".

Addressing a poll rally in Bihar's Wazirganj, she questioned Modi's intention to deliver on promises he had made and blamed the "wrong" policies of his government for "breaking the back of the poor".

"No other Prime Minister has ever criticised and sullied the image of his political rivals on foreign soil. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done so, showing his narrow mindedness and low-level politics. When he does not bother about the dignity of Bihar or the nation, will he be concerned about your dignity," Sonia said.

Accusing the Prime Minister of going back on his promises made during Lok Sabha polls, the Congress president criticised a number of schemes launched by the NDA government like Jan Dhan Yojna and criticised it for "sky rocketing" prices of pulses.

"Will those who have set aside all their previous promises, fulfil the fresh ones they are making now. No.

They will not fulfil them at all. For us, making promises is not a poll 'jumla' (phrase)," she said, alluding to BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks on Modi's promise on black money.

Addressing the gathering in the Magadh region, which is known for production of pulses, the Congress chief sought to project the Modi government as 'anti-poor' which was working only to benefit the rich.

"Pulses have become so expensive that common people cannot buy it. Magadh region is known for pulse production. I want to know whether farmers producing pulses are getting any benefit. No, the farmers are getting nothing.

"The Modi government is giving subsidy on imported pulses. Wheat is also imported in large quantity. Did farmers benefit from it? The benefit has gone to the middlemen or their own people," she said.

Attacking the Prime Minister for his pitch on Jan Dhan Yojna, she asked whether the account holders got Rs 5,000, as promised by Modi, when they opened their bank accounts under the scheme.

"Did you get the money? How many of you have got it? Nobody has got it. What happened to his promise?" she asked.

Accusing the NDA government of not passing on the benefits of falling oil prices to the common man, she said the UPA dispensation kept the oil prices low despite the rise in international prices of crude oil.

"You are battling all sorts of problems in daily life for which Modi government is directly responsible. What actions he took to redress your grievances. Why no attention was paid to the problems of our weaver brothers," she said, apparently targeting the large weaving community in the area which plays a decisive role in elections in a number of constituencies in Gaya district, an otherwise BJP stronghold.

She also accused the government of slashing budgetary allocations for a number of social security schemes.