Cong focusing on Modi instead of failing economy: BJP

Dismissing Congress criticism of Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, BJP today said that instead of worrying about the economy, the ruling party is making its 'Modi-phobia' evident and lowering the political debate with use of 'derogatory' terms against him.

'Congress reacts to Modi as if it has been stung by a high voltage wire,' BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The party charged that though Rupee has been sliding whch is affecting the common people adversely, Congress ministers, general secretaries and spokespersons were more concerned about targeting Modi and were not losing any opportunity to use objectionable language.

BJP came out with a vociferous defence of Modi's attack on the Prime Minister yesterday but it was dented to some extent as it faced uncomfortable questions about patriarch L K Advani's jibes at the Gujarat Chief Minister.

'There is a great sense of concern about the falling Rupee. It is about to cross the Rs 62 to a dollar mark. The state of affairs of the Indian economy is very grave. But instead of focussing on this, the Congress Cabinet ministers, general secretaries and leaders attention has been on reacting impulsively to Modi. They are suffering from Modi-phobia,' Sitharaman said.

BJP countered the contention of the Congress that the opposition should not speak against the Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, saying the ruling party is using all possible 'alibis' to evade criticism.

'Congress always says this is not the appropriate time to talk about the issue whether it is a Maoist attack, beheading of soldiers, gouging the eyes of our army personnel or mutilation of their bodies by Pakistan,' Sitharaman said.

The party rued that Congress leaders are using terms like 'a frog which talks, monkey, a snake that bites, merchant of death and even guttersnipe' against Modi.

Sitharaman said not only Modi but even President Pranab Mukherjee had strongly criticised the government in his speech on the eve of Independence Day.

'One gets the impression that the Congress Ministers do not do their duty and instead react impulsively to Modi,' she said.