Congress takes potshots at PM Narendra Modi over NDA government's 30-day report card

NEW DELHI: Congress today took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the 30-day report card of his government, wondering whether the "serious hard work" was aimed at the rail fare hike, rising sugar prices and a policy that would see regular hike in prices of petroleum products.

"30-days report card of his government presented through a blog by the Prime Minister is full of pessimism and reflects tendency to criticise all institutions instead of ensuring course correction," party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters.

He wanted to know what are those internal dissensions and challenges that Modi is facing within 30 days of taking over government and what are the reasons.

"India wants to know... whether centralisation of power is the reason for this internal dissension," he asked and hit out at the government for the rail fare hike and rise in sugar prices.

He also had a dig at Modi for his statement that his government did not have the "luxury" of a "honeymoon period".

"Post of prime minister in our democratic set up is that of supreme responsibility and honour. Description of this post through phraseology like 'honeymoon' goes against the very tenets of our democratic setup... Instead of accusing the media and other institutions, the prime minister needs to rise above the mindset of honeymoon period," he said.

Taking a jibe at Modi's remarks about "serious hard work" during last 30 days, he raised a series of questions seeking to project the NDA government in poor light.

"Whether this hard work has been directed at delaying the implementation of the historical Food Security act?... Whether this decision is not anti-poor and reflective of insensitivity of the Modi government," he asked.

Claiming that the promised "achhe din" (good days) have evaporated in thin air within 30 days, he wondered whether the "hard work" has been directed at making unconstitutional and unwarranted interference in the appointment of top most judges of the Supreme Court.

"Whether the hard work has been directed at seeking revenge and belittling one of the most respected jurist of the Supreme Court who had taken an independent stand against Gujarat government and Amit Shah as a Supreme Court appointed counsel in matters like Sohrabuddin..." he wondered.