"PM Modi stooped low in criticising opponents,"says Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh scathing launched a scathing attack against PM Narendra Modi, saying the PM has stooped low in criticising opposition leaders during election rallies.

Manmohan Singh in a press conference held at KPCC office in Bengaluru, said, "I do say with great sadness that no prime minister in our country has stooped so low in using the kind language against opposition leaders." A day before PM Modi while addressing an election rally in Mudhol- the town famous for hounds- urged the Congress party to learn patriotism from 'Mudhol hounds'.

Manmohan Singh, who visited for the first in the run-up to Karnataka assembly election, touched upon ill-effects of demonetisation, GST on Indian economy and hike in oil prices given the favourable international market.

He said, "Two major avoidable blunders of the Modi government have been demonetisation and hasty implementation of GST. The losses the economy suffered due to these blunders have severely hurt our Micro Small and Medium Enterprise sector and have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. Along with this, exports as a share of GDP have plunged to a 14 year low."

"The 'intentions' of the Modi government, while claimed to be good, have resulted in massive losses for our country. Its lack of reasoning and analysis is costing India and our collective future. The UPA delivered an average growth rate of 7.8 percent despite turbulent global conditions," Manmohan Singh said.

He compared NDA's economic performance with the UPA regime, saying "The NDA has managed lesser growth rate despite a favourable international climate and low oil prices. In fact, growth rate under the NDA is lower in spite of the change in methodology, which paints a rosier picture than reality. This at a time when the global economy is reviving and exports of other Asian nations like Vietnam have been able to grow very substantially."

Dr Singh accused the NDA of increasing petrol and diesel prices. He said, "Petrol and diesel prices are at a historic high. This is in spite of lower international crude oil prices because the Modi Government chooses to levy excessive excise taxes. The Modi government has punished the people instead of passing on the benefits of low prices to the people," he added.

The opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC Research Wing head Prof. Rajeev Gowda, AICC Commination wing head Randeep Surjewala were present.