Azad calls PM's Open Letter as 'Open Lie'

Hyderabad, May 29 (INN): Congress senior leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has described the Open Letter written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of completion of one year in power as an "Open Lie".

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan here on Friday, Azad said that the points mentioned in the Prime Minister's letter were far from truth and sounds like election promises. He dismissed Modi's claim that prices were brought down under the BJP-led NDA Government's one-year regime. Citing an instance, he said the prices of crude oil during UPA regime varied from $ 120-122 per barrel and the petrol in Delhi was sold for Rs 70 per litre. When the UPA lost power, the crude oil price was $112 while the rate of petrol was Rs 70 per litre. Now the crude oil prices have declined to $ 58, but the petrol is being sold at Rs 66 per litre.

"The benefit of decline in global prices of crude oil was not passed on to the people. Instead, the fares of buses and trains were hiked. The prices of pulses, vegetables, meat and other commodities also registered an increase in the last one year. The Prime Minister may be referring to the prices of foreign countries where he is vesting frequently and he simply forgot the local prices," Azad said.

Azad also rejected Modi's claim on rejuvenation of economy. He said that the rural economy has been completely finished. The promise of proving two crore jobs per year remained unimplemented.

Speaking about black money issue, he said the BJP Government did not fulfill the promise of bringing back the black money parked in foreign banks. He said the Centre could not take the credit for formation of Special Investigation Team as it was constituted on the directions of Supreme Court.

Azad ridiculed the claims of BJP Government being corruption free. He said that the Centre did not fill the post of Central Vigilance Commission, Chief Information Officer and other crucial posts. About 39,000 applications have been pending before the CIC seeking information on various issues. The Jan Lok Pal Bill was passed by the UPA Government in 2013, but the same is yet to be implemented by the BJP Government. Once these institutions become active, many big scams may come to light.

The Congress leader also condemned the Centre for non-filling of posts of chief of DRDO and other research institutions. There is no Vice-Chancellor in as many as 12 Central Universities. The Centre has completely neglected the agriculture sector and for the first time in history the agriculture budget has been reduced. There have been cuts in budget for health, SC-ST Sub-Plans and the funds for Panchayat Raj have been slashed by almost 98%, he said.

Azad alleged that the Prime Minister's foreign visits were confined to photo opportunity and more focus was laid on publicity than signing of mutual agreements. He also condemned Modi for targeting opposition parties in foreign lands. "Modi has insulted entire India with his comments during foreign tours," he said.