PM Modi Politicising Pulwama for Political Gains: P Chidambaram

“The facts that are emerging seem to be neutralising the advantage that he wishes to take,” Chidambaram added.

File photo of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram. 

(Photo: Reuters)

Speaking after the release of his book Undaunted in Mumbai, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram hit out at the government and said, “I think that this government is a threat to the Constitution.”

He was responding to a question posed by BloombergQuint’s Maneka Doshi, who asked him if the former finance minister was resorting to fear-mongering.

Chidambaram said, “Even without changing the Constitution, I think this government is a threat to the Constitution. This RSS-BJP don't believe in multiculturalism.” He added that every institution in India has been undermined by the current establishment at the Centre.

Chidambaram spoke on a host of issues, including the Pulwama terror attack, loan waivers and minimum income guarantee.

On Pulwama Terror Attack

Speaking on the Pulwama terror attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, Chidambaram said he wants to believe the government, but the multiple statements put forth have made it difficult.

He was referring to the claims made by several leaders since the IAF carried out Balakot air strikes on 26 February.

“The prime minister is politicising Pulwama and the consequences of Pulwama. He is trying to take political advantage. But the facts that are emerging seem to be neutralising the advantage that he wishes to take. And I think he is becoming a bit desperate, which is why his speeches are becoming shriller and shriller everyday.”

P Chidambaram, Congress leader

Chidambaram said that the core issue is of Kashmir but “I feel this this government has moved far away from the path, which could lead to a solution.”

Catch all the live updates on India-Pakistan tension here.

On Minimum Income Guarantee and Farm Loan Waivers

In January, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had said that if the party is voted to power in the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha polls, then it will provide guaranteed income to the poor people of the country.

Speaking on the issue of minimum income and farm loan waivers, Chidambaram said:

“I think Minimum Income Guarantee is absolutely prudent. This is not a crazy idea that was born in a drunken party. The idea is ethical, it’s necessary. It economically makes sense.”

P Chidambaram, Congress leader

He also took at dig at the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, a scheme which promises to provide direct income of Rs 6,000 to poor farmers annually, and said that it is a bribe for voters.

On Implementation of GST

On the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST), Chidambaram said that it was a Congress idea but the design was NDA’s.

“One it is a single rate and second, it’s a non-cascading tax. Now you have distorted both. The implementation was flawed. It was a Congress idea but the design was not ours. That is not our design. In fact, you go back read my speech in the Parliament I said what is this? this is not GST. Call it by any other name.”

P Chidambaram, Congress leader

‘Ask Modi Govt About Job Creation’

When asked about Congress’ plan to create jobs if it was voted to power, Chidambaram dodged the question and said that the question should be asked to the government.

“It’s a bit amusing. You are entitled to ask, but you are asking me even before we get into government. You have not asked these for five years to those who have been in the government for five years.”

P Chidambaram, Congress leader

The Modi government has been under attack over issues of unemployment. As per a report published by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the rate of unemployment was at 7.2 percent in February, the highest since September 2016.

(With inputs from BloombergQuint)