Why does PM 'turn active' only in US interest: Narendra Modi

Faridabad, Sept 28: Gujarat Chief Minister

on Friday accused Prime Minister

of "acting" in the interest of United States first in getting the nuclear deal through and then allowing FDI in multi-brand retail and questioned why he did not "turn active in India's interest".

Addressing a rally in Faridabad at the conclusion of the National Council meet, Modi also raised questions if the FDI decision was linked to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to the United States as it came through a day after Gandhi returned from her tour there. He also sought to know if there was a connect between the decisions taken by him and the elections in the US.

"There are many questions that the nation wants to ask from the Prime Minister. We want to know why you became 'singham' (turned active) twice during the last eight years –once for getting the nuclear deal through and the other time now while taking the FDI decision. You have not bothered about the government, if it remains or goes, but turned active in the interest of foreigners.... The nation wants to know why can you not gather the courage to act in India’'s well-being," Modi said.

Questioning the timing of PM's decisions, Modi said, "I want to know what is the link between US elections and your turning active." "In 2008, ahead of the US elections, Manmohan Singh suddenly turned active to get the Nuclear Treaty signed...then the next four years you go into slumber....then again when US elections are going to be held after four years, the Prime Minister turns active," Modi said.

He also asked if the decision to allow FDI in retail was taken a day after Sonia Gandhi returned from the US. "What is the reason for this? Is Sonia's coming a reason or is her America visit the reason? What is the reason that you have taken all your decisions at such a time that raise many questions?" Modi asked.

Earlier, BJP leader LK Advani praised Modi at the rally for attaining a "tall" stature and said he as an elder in the party was happy about it. "Someone asked me that Narendra Modi has become bigger than the party. I said in a family, if the grandson earns a big name then the elders in the family always feel good. If someone within the family is emerging taller, then it is not a matter of concern, but happiness," Advani said.

PTI