NDA govt heading to be UPA III: AAP

New Delhi, June 27: The AAP today termed the first month of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in office as a "disappointment" and said that it is heading towards becoming UPA III.

"The new government seems to have forgotten its election promises of curbing price-rise and eradicating corruption. The decisions of steep hikes in the railway passenger fares and the increase in sugar import duty, which have led to increase in its prices, have been contrary to what was promised to the people of the country," AAP said.

"The first month in office of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government has been a disappointment and the direction of this government indicates it is heading towards soon to be known as UPA-III," it said in a statement. The party also slammed the Modi government over the MSP on crops to what it had promised in its manifesto.

"Now, the minimum support price (MSP) of cotton has been virtually kept the same by the NDA government (Rs 4050 compared to Rs 4000 last year). The AAP asks the PM whether he expects that the cotton farmers' distress and suicides will come down in Vidarbha? Will he be answerable to the families of those farmers who might commit suicide this kharif season?"

"The AAP reminds the farming community that the BJP in its manifesto expressly promised 'Ensuring a minimum of 50 per cent profits over the cost of production'. PM Modi in his campaign speeches repeatedly announced, 'We will fix the MSP (Minimum Support Price) of crops incorporating 50 per cent profit in farmers cost of production including seed, irrigation, manure, labour'," the statement added.

The party said that this promise has been "cynically set aside" so soon after the elections. "MSP for paddy has been set at Rs 1360 – the increase of Rs 50 from Rs 1310 of last year doesn't cover even the inflation rate. In maize and bajra, there has been zero increase in MSP whereas in most crops the increase is just Rs 50," it said.

The party also slammed Modi for the controversies that surrounded the government. "Equally shocking has been the silence of the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, on multiple issues, which include - allegations of rape against minister of state Nihal Chand Meghwal, the false affidavit submitted by the human resources development minister Smriti Irani about her educational qualifications and the unjustified attack of the minister of state VK Singh on the next army chief," the party said.

PTI