Earlier on Thursday, Mr Gandhi had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running the country on a “hum do, hamare do” (we two, our two) principle.
After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi government of crony capitalism, ignoring the poor and mishandling of the farmers’ protest against the agriculture laws, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today launched a scathing attack on critics and particularly Mr Gandhi.
Ahead of her reply to budget-related questions, Ms Sitharaman said in the Lok Sabha: “Who are our cronies? Our cronies are the common ‘janta‘ (people) of this country.”
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Gandhi had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running the country on a “hum do, hamare do” (we two, our two) principle. In one of his sharpest takedowns of the Modi government, Mr Gandhi said that the “hum do, hamare do” principle has been in play in demonetisation, Goods and Services tax, lockdown and most recently, the three farm laws passed in September that have led to the massive farmers’ agitation.
“Where are the cronies? They’re hiding probably in the shadow of that party which has been rejected by the people (a reference to the Congress). The shadows who were invited to even develop a port… they were invited. No open tenders, no global tenders,” the Finance Minister added.
She also attacked the Congress leader over the criticism of the new farm laws.
“Have APMCs (mandis) been closed after the introduction of the Farmers Act? He (Mr Gandhi) was speaking like they had been… They (the new laws) are also helping improve the condition of APMCs. He (Mr Gandhi) is insulting everyone… whether President, Prime Minister or Speaker… constantly lying and insulting the country,” she said.
Hitting back at Mr Gandhi over his “hum do, hamare do” jibe, she said: “It would have been nice if he (Mr Gandhi) who talked about “hum do hamare do” also talked about returning damaads returning land.. but didn’t say anything about this,” she said, referring to investigations into land deals involving Robert Vadra, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law.
“…in spite of what we are doing for the poor and the steps taken for helping the poor and needy of this country…a false narrative is created,” Ms Sitharaman raged in response to opposition’s criticism of the government over allegations og helping a few businessmen.
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