AMN
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that he did not misuse his office to enrich either himself, his family or friends. Speaking at National Students Union of India, NSUI convention in New Delhi, Dr Singh said UPA has been fighting corruption, and will continue without any compromise. He said he is proud of UPA government’s achievements and entire Congress is working for the welfare of the common man.
The former Prime Minister said BJP’s talk of policy paralysis is untrue. He said when UPA handed over power to NDA, India was the second fastest growing economy. Dr Singh asserted that the country recorded an average annual growth rate of 8.5 per cent during ten year rule of UPA. He charged the BJP with harping on corruption to divert public attention to non-issues. He also alleged that institutions of democracy are facing threat under Narendra Modi government.
“UPA schemes are now being marketed under new names by the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What BJP had opposed when we were in power, are now being sold as its contribution,” Singh alleged.
He, however, added: “But this doesn’t surprise us. This is the compliment BJP could pay to the constructive work done by the UPA government.”
“We had launched many new programs and new schemes. We had put in place many new policies. This had led to profound social transformation and unprecedented economic growth as well. However, the entire edifice of welfare state is now being dismantled,” Singh cautioned.
Singh further rejected criticism of “policy paralysis” during the UPA government rule.
“Talk of policy paralysis is untrue. When our government left, India was the second fastest growing economy,” he stated.
“There is a ‘fragileness’ in economic recovery under the present government,” Singh said, adding the NDA government has had to alter and tweak statistical data to say that the last year has not been bad.