The Congress on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying his interview was a "monologue" full of rhetoric and accused him of peddling lies.
Terming it as a "fixed interview", the party said there was no mention of ground realities or any concern for promises made by him to the people.
The opposition party alleged that Modi did not spare people of his "penchant for hollow claims and propaganda" even on the New Year day and has signalled a "nasty narrative" for the 2019 election campaign.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the prime minister should have spoken about the suffering caused to the people from note ban and GST, bank frauds, black money, national security and farmers woes.
"The people are with the opposition and the 'gathbandhan of thugs' should start its countdown as only 99 days are left," he said on the prime minister's claim that 2019 elections are going to be a fight between the people and the 'mahagathbandhan'.
"The monologue interview of Modi ji turned out to be a much ado about nothing," he said.
Addressing a press conference, Surjewala said the Congress expected that in 2019 Modi will express regret, but "he peddled lies".
He alleged that the Prime Minister again resorted to "lies blatantly" on the issue of Rafale fighter jet deal.
"Prime Minister Modi said there is no charge, but the only charges made are against him.... the charge Modiji, is only against you of corruption and crony capitalism and that is why you are running away from a JPC," he said, daring him for a probe by joint parliamentary committee on the issue.
"Summary of Modiji's monologue' interview -- I', Me', Mine', Myself'. The country is suffering your I's and lies'," he also tweeted.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the people of the country cannot be "fooled" through a "fixed interview" and dared him to face Parliament and a press conference.
He also attacked the prime minister over his claims on surgical strikes, saying "it is a national shame that the Prime Minister seeks to politicise the surgical strike and divide the country."
Surjewala said, "Bereft of ground reality, 'jumlas' (rhetoric) galore, Modiji's interview looks like a parody."
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