"The statement of Modi, his claim of standing up for food security in the interest of farmers by taking up a stand in opposition to the one taken by the UPA government is misleading and given with the objective to confuse the people," Congress leader and former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said.
Noting that Modi's remark that India had disregarded the interest of farmers and the right to food security at Bali was "astonishing, factually incorrect and false", he said it contradicted the statement made by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on August 5 and 6 in Parliament.
"Which of the two is true?" Sharma asked, adding, "Whether what Modi is saying correct or the MoS is saying is correct. Congress will raise the issue on Monday."
The former Union Minister was reacting to the remarks of Modi made at the BJP national council meeting yesterday that "those who sought votes in the name of food security, signed the agreement (sacrificing the interest of poor people)".
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Sharma had signed the accord at Bali last year which, among other things, had agreed for signing the TFA by July 31, 2014.
He further said, "It is embarrassing that the Prime Minister is confusing the right of public stock holding issue with sovereign right of food security. Food security is a sovereign right and a sovereign space and has never been a part of WTO agenda."
"Prime Minister needs to be reminded that it was India's strong and uncompromising stance that forced the issue of procurement of foodgrains for public stock holding and livelihood countries on the Bali WTO agenda despite stiff opposition from the US, European Union and other developed countries.