Dr Manmohan Singh talked less, worked more but PM Modi talks more, works less: Kharge

Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday made a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that while former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh spoke less and worked more, PM Modi speaks more and works less.

"He (Dr Manmohan Singh) used to talk less and work more. But today's prime minister talks more and works a little less. Manmohan Singh ji was always present in the House during Parliament sessions. He used to answer questions and respond to the Opposition's comments as well. Today's prime minister considers this an insult," Kharge said.

He added, "Not even 10 per cent of the work done during his time has been done in the last 11 years. Those who become leaders after studying have more knowledge, they work more. They do not pay much attention to publicity."

Further, Kharge also alleged that PM Modi feels that any questions that the Opposition raises is an insult to him and recalled that he did not respond to any questions raised by the Opposition, including the ones on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and halting of Operation Sindoor.

Meanwhile, congratulating the fellows of the first batch of the Manmohan Singh Fellowship Programme launched by the All-India Professionals Congress, he said, "It is also your responsibility to carry forward the ideas of the Congress, which has a 140-year-old glorious heritage."

He added, "Professionals and intellectuals have always played a major role in our freedom struggle and politics. When the Congress was formed in 1885, lawyers, teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists and officers were at its core."

"Hundreds of heroes such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru ji, Sardar Patel, and Sarojini Naidu left their illustrious careers to serve the country. Congress is the only party that has always given space to professionals and respected their abilities," the Congress chief said, adding, "Manmohan Singh is the biggest example of this. Rajiv Gandhi ji was also a pilot before joining politics. His work as the prime minister was excellent."

Kharge also spoke about the GDP and growth rate during the Dr Manmohan Singh tenure. "I would like to tell you that the work on Aadhaar card started during that time. By 2014, bank accounts had been opened in more than half of the rural households," he claimed.

"The Congress has always followed progressive ideas. From Nehru's time, all the doors of the cooperative sector, joint sector, and public sector were opened. Today, the public sector is on the verge of collapsing. Jobs are disappearing," Kharge further said.

He said that the nation is currently at such a crossroads "where on one hand social, economic and technological changes are taking place rapidly, while on the other hand unemployment and inequality have reached their peak".

"Democratic institutions are being captured and attacked. The current politics is dominated by show and propaganda and less work. In such a time, professionals like you need to come forward," he added.