Congress today dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "dream merchant", who came to power by selling "false hopes" and dismissed the 100 days of his rule as high on rhetoric and low on performance.
"Modi sold false dreams, that cannot be realised. He promised all things to all people. Rahul Gandhi did not do it. He did not give false assurances and refused to be a dream merchant. Rahul is sincere and hence he did not do all this," party spokesperson Anand Sharma said at the AICC briefing.
Alleging that BJP captured power by making lofty promises and selling unrealistic dreams, he said the 100 days story of this government has proved to be "disappointing."
He said the government's functioning has, so far, been "characterised by non-fulfilment of promises, undermining of institutions, compromising of administration and governance and promotion of work culture nurtured by distrust and fear".
Sharma asked the Prime Minister to "explain why 18 of his ministers are facing serious criminal charges compelling the Supreme Court to observe that it is for the Prime Minister to ensure that those having criminals charges are not promoted. He is the head of the government. Why he brought such people in the Cabinet?"
Expressing concern over the situation along borders with Pakistan and China, Sharma said there were ceasefire violations day in and day out from Islamabad, which was witnessed only before the Kargil conflict.
"A party and its leaders, who during their election campaign faulted the leadership in Delhi for LoC violations went on to invite the Pakistan Prime Minister over shawl and saree diplomacy," he said accusing the government of absence of firmness and clarity in dealing with Pakistan and showing "no maturity" in its foreign policy.
"It's approach is opaque and directionless in foreign policy. It is trivialising India's bilateral, regional and international commitments. Government should show forthrightness in foreign policy engagements. It cannot be just rhetorics and theatrics," he said.
Attacking the government on the black money issue, he said while BJP and its then Prime Ministerial candidate promised to bring back black money, which was according to them to the tune of 85 lakh crore, "even 85 paisa are yet to come while the government is completing 100 days".
He said this amounted to a "fraud with people", who were "misled".
