PM's address a rhetoric, hollow on specifics: Cong

The Congress on Tuesday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address a "rhetoric" and "hollow on specifics", saying he should spell out the government's strategy to tackle coronavirus and solve people's problems, rather than talk of what he expected of them.

A host of Congress leaders criticised Modi for not coming out with a financial package or concrete steps to revive the economy and asked what he was doing to mitigate the woes of poor, migrant labourers and farmers waiting to harvest crops.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi sought to assure people of her party's support amid the crisis, saying whether the Congress was in power or in the opposition it would extend all help to the people.

In her video message, the Congress chief urged countrymen to stay indoors, be safe and observe the lockdown and social distancing stipulations, saying it will not be possible to win this battle without everyone's support.

She expressed confidence that with a strong morale, the country will emerge victorious very soon.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said mass testing is the key to fighting coronavirus but India is currently nowhere in the game.

Pointing to low level of testing for coronavirus in the country, he said India is currently in the company of countries like Laos, Niger and Honduras, with only 149 tests per million population.

"India delayed the purchase of testing kits and is now critically short of them," he said on Twitter.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked where is the country's roadmap to fight coronavirus.

He said leadership does not mean making people realise their responsibilities but to fulfil the government's duty of accountability towards the people of the country.

"A lot of talk has taken place but where is the roadmap to fight coronavirus," he asked.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said, "The poor have been left to fend for themselves for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting food. There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food. Cry, my beloved country."
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "Amazing PM address. Exhortation, rhetoric, inspiration.....yet hollow on specifics! No financial package, no details, no concrete item. Neither for poor nor middle class nor industry nor businesses. Lockdown is good but cannot be end in itself! Where is single livelihood issue."