At Jawaharlal Nehru's Memorial, Congress Tears Into BJP

New Delhi: Buoyed by the party's impressive fare in Bihar, the Congress led by Sonia Gandhi today launched a renewed attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, accusing the Centre of creating an atmosphere of 'intolerance'.

"Seeing the prevalent atmosphere of intolerance we are reminded of the 'achhe din' when Nehruji was the Prime Minister. When any citizen could speak his mind and 'mann ki baat' was not reduced to a mere radio programme," Mrs Gandhi said.

The references to PM Modi's election campaign and radio programme, was made by the her at a function to mark the close of the Congress party's year-long celebration of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's 125th birth anniversary.

Such was the attack on the PM Modi's government that his usually reticent predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh also had rather harsh words when he alleged his successor to be using development as a "sales pitch" for his "dukandaari" or his establishment.
 Without naming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS - the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, the Mrs Gandhi questioned the organisation's role during India's freedom movement and compared with the Muslim League.

"In 1942 when Gandhi ji announced the Quit India movement there were two groups which actively and openly opposed the call. One was responsible for Partition and the other is today the remote controller of the ruling establishment," she said.

From 'intolerance' to inflation, Mrs Gandhi set the tone for what could be turbulent winter session of Parliament: "Members of the ruling party are quick to remind the common man what to eat and what not to eat but have little advice to offer those people who are forced to buy dal at Rs 200 a kilogram."

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi too hinted what awaits the government in the winter session of parliament. "Prime Minister speaks in England that India is a tolerant country and we take everyone along. But he doesn't say this in our Parliament," he said.