Arun Shourie launches scathing attack on Narendra Modi government // BJP calls Arun Shourie a ‘fair-weather friend’
Arun Shourie, one of the most influential BJP ideologues
during the AB Vajpayee government, on Friday launched a surprising, relentless
attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
his government. Shourie accused Modi of poor handling of the Indian economy
and turning a blind eye to the attacks on minorities and their institutions by
the right-wing fringe groups.
Rubbishing the Modi government of 8% growth, Shourie told
Headlines Today in an interview that it was all 'hyperbole' and that 'such
claims are meant to grab headlines but lack substance'. Shourie seemed particularly harsh on the trio of Modi, Amit Shah and
Arun Jaitley, claiming these three individuals ran the BJP. "It has offended
the opposition as well as frightened the members of the BJP," he said.
Shourie further slammed 'Modinomics', labeling it
directionless. He alleged that the government was more concerned with 'managing
headlines' than the big picture. The government seems to be more concerned with
managing headlines than putting policies in place. The situation is like the
many pieces of a jigsaw puzzle lying in a mess with no big picture in mind
about how to put them together," he said.
Shourie headed the Ministry of Disinvestment, Communication
and Information Technology during the first NDA government and is considered
one of the foremost voices on the economy. Shourie has not found a portfolio in
the present Modi-led government. The 73-year-old BJP ideologue even dismissed the purported
achievements of the Modi government - reducing inflation, FDI, reduction of
fiscal deficit, deregulation of diesel prices and spectrum auction. He claimed
that these positives had nothing to do with the actions of the present government,
and much to do with falling prices of oil and commodities.
Furthermore, Shourie was unhappy with PM Modi wearing an
expensive monogrammed suit during his interactions with US President Barack
Obama. "It was inexplicable, incomprehensible and a big critical
mistake," Shourie said. "I fail to understand why he accepted and
then wore that suit. You cannot take Gandhiji's name and wear such a
thing," he said to Headlines Today.
