PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech lacked vision: Sitaram Yechury

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechury today said the Independence day speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lacked vision and took serious exception to the decision to do away with the Planning Commission.

"He is still in the hangover of election and speech looked like an poll campaign one," Yechury told a meet-the-press programme here.

The speech made by Modi was not like that of a Prime Minister was expected to make from the Red Fort as it lacked vision, Yechury said.

Taking serious exception to the decision to do away with the Planning Commission, Yechury said would have serious consequences in the country.

All the people oriented programmes of the government were being monitored by the Commission and if it was scrapped, welfare activities for poor and downtrodden would be affected.

"The budget session of the Parliament ended yesterday and there was not a hint on this important issue," he said, adding, Centre has not consulted with Opposition on Planning Commission issue.

Stating that Modi's message ignored to present new government foreign policy, especially with regard to resolving issues with neighbouring countries, he said "there was no mention of Pakistan."

Normally, Independence day speech used to spell out the initiatives of the government to iron out the issues with neighbouring countries, he pointed out.

Prime Minister mentioned about 'proxy war of Pakistan' only two days ago, but there was nothing in the Independence day speech on that. Similar were the issues related to illegal migration from Bangladesh, which he mentioned recently, Yechury said.

Taking a dig at Modi on his appeal to end communal and caste violence in the country, Yechury said it was actually an appeal to RSS and not people.

One thing was clear from the Independence message, "coming days are struggle against economic conditions and communal polarisation by the activities of RSS," he added.