Prime Minister Narendra Modi hits back at Rahul Gandhi, says 'suit boot ki sarkar' remark shows bankruptcy of ideas
"Call for achche din was to get rid of the bad, we have achieved that," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a national daily.
Assuring that the government is committed to the long-awaited One Rank One Pension (OROP) for retired defence personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said concerned authorities are in consultation with defence personnel regarding its definition.
"On OROP- the Govt is committed to OROP & there's no doubt about it," the prime minister tweeted.
On OROP- the Govt is committed to OROP & there's no doubt about it. http://t.co/k2AdqpooFC Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2015
In an interview to The Tribune, Modi underlined that OROP is being actively pursued and that there is no need to have any doubt on this. The prime minister's statement comes a day after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar assured that One Rank One Pension "was on its way" but added "a date for its implementation cannot be given."
In the no-holds-barred interview to the national daily, Modi also hit back at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his 'suit boot ki sarkar' jibe, describing the remark as opposition's bankruptcy of ideas.
"Look at the opposition bankruptcy. They could not find one concrete issue to criticize the government in this one year. This is our most important success," Modi said. He added, "Call for achche din was to get rid of the bad, we have achieved that."
During the interview, the prime minister also countered opposition to the controversial land acquisition bill, saying Congress has no moral right to raise questions over the bill as it has ruled the nation for 60 years during which over 3 lakh farmers committed suicide.
"For 60 years they went with the old land acquisition laws. Were they anti-farmer all this while? Those who have forced 3 lakh farmers to commit suicide have no moral authority to complain now. The earlier law was 120 years old. For political interest they hurriedly brought in a law," Modi said.
On the issue of black money, Modi stressed that his government will spare no on, however, the names of people hoarding unaccountable asset will be revealed only to the Supreme Court in accordance with the law.
"Names we can give only to the Supreme Court because we are bound by law, but we are going to spare no one," the prime minister said.