BJP policies swayed by RSS, alleges Mallikarjun Kharge

The Opposition on Thursday attacked the NDA government, accusing it of repackaging the schemes of the previous UPA regime, and cutting down the allocations for schemes for farmers and poors. The government, on its part, insisted that India has emerged as the bright spot in the global economy.

Leading the Opposition attack, leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers are working under the influence of RSS and there was a huge difference between their policies and intentions.

Speaking on the Motion of Thanks to President’s address, Mr Kharge said the people who surround the Prime Minister won’t let him go too far.

He said the President’s address had failed to focus on woman, farmers, poor, workers, dalits and adivasis and that there was a need to change the thought process to build a strong and far-sighted India.

The Congress leader said the schemes — Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Swasthya Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, Krishi Sinchai Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana — are all repackaged versions of the UPA Government’s schemes.

“You are trying to divert the attention of the Government, this tactics will not work for long,” he said. Mr Kharge said although the Government keeps on saying that no work was done by the UPA, its own chief economic advisor had said that proverty reduction has been the fastest between 2005 and 2012.

He further said as many as three crore people come out of the poverty line in eight years during the UPA rule. Mr Kharge also said that Modi had once criticised the MGNREGA rural employment scheme of the UPA government. Mr Modi was present in the House when Mr Kharge was speaking.

Responding to the charges, Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said, “We are proud of RSS” and its capacity, capability and devotion to this nation.

He said because of the steps taken by the NDA government, India, according to IMF chief, is now among an island of hope.