Congress now 'directionless', Left 'mentally bankrupt': JP Nadda

Hyderabad, Apr 22: The country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surpassed the growth rate of China, Union Minister JP Nadda today said as he launched a scathing attack on Congress and Left parties, dubbing them as "directionless" and "mentally bankrupt".

"Congress has become directionless, it has become a leaderless party. It does not have any strength left in it. Congress is not able to play the role of an effective Opposition," he said.

The Union Health Minister was addressing a felicitation meeting of K Laxman, the new chief of BJP in Telangana.

"Congress has become like fish out of water. Left has become mentally bankrupt. But BJP has a strong leader in the form of Narendra Modi," Nadda said.

The saffron outfit has strength, a leadership with vision and strong cadre to take forward the country on path of development, the Minister said.

The inflation, which was in double digit during the Congress-led UPA administration, was brought down to below 5 per cent, while the country's GDP is growing at 7.5 per cent under Modi's leadership, Nadda said.

"Japan and China are now showing interest to invest in India. Because they believe India has potential. Two years ago, inflation never come down below 11 per cent because there was not vision then.

"After Modi became Prime Minister inflation came down below 5 per cent and GDP growth stood at 7.5 per cent. We have also surpassed Chinese growth rate," he said, adding India has become the fastest-growing large economy in the world.

Speaking at the same event, Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the BJP should aim to come to power in 2019 elections in Telangana under the leadership of Laxman. She said the BJP-led NDA Government is extending all necessary support to the newly created State.

Sitharaman advised the TRS Government to cooperate with the Centre for Telangana's overall development.

Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya was also present. Replying to the felicitation, Laxman said the BJP would be strengthened from grassroots level onwards in the state and fight the 2019 elections on its own. The saffron outfit had tied up with TDP in the 2014 polls.

PTI