‘BJP reaped benefits of polarisation’

He claimed that the Congress was a victim of its “own success” and the BJP “reaped benefits” of communal polarisation during the Lok Sabha elections.

Former Union minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that he was disappointed by the President’s address that did not mention the achievements of the previous government even as the agenda of Narendra Modi’s regime was a mere continuation of the UPA policies.

He claimed that the Congress was a victim of its “own success” and the BJP “reaped benefits” of communal polarisation during the Lok Sabha elections. “We (Congress) became victim of our own success,” Ramesh said during the debate on motion of thanks on President’s address in the Rajya Sabha and claimed that during the 10-year UPA rule, 140 million people had “escaped trap of poverty”.

He also took on the government over its slogans “minimum government, maximum governance” and “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat (united India, best India)”, saying he hoped “minimum government” does not mean “one-man government, one-office government”.

Story continues below this ad

The Congress leader further said now that the government has got the mandate it should focus on good governance and deliver on promises.

He also cited Goods and Services Tax (GST), and said the Bill could not be taken up by the previous government due to opposition from people who are now in government. Ramesh, however, assured Congress’s support to the government is passing the Bill.

TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said that any attempt by the government to digress from pro-people policies would be opposed.