Mumbai: Amid speculations over a tie-up with the BJP, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar today launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his policies had led to the economic slowdown. At a press conference in Mumbai, he also criticized the government on multiple issues, including the Kashmir policy, and questioned the feasibility of the flagship bullet train project.
The bullet train project, he said, was "impractical" and the distribution of cost between Maharashtra and Gujarat was not proportional to benefits. "Maharashtra has barely got 4 stations (to be touched by the bullet train), the maximum stops are in Gujarat. But Maharashtra has to contribute equal finance in the project," he said.
"I do not know what is the purpose behind this bullet train," he said. "I think a bullet train is required between Mumbai and Delhi or Delhi and Kolkata or Mumbai and Chennai. A bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is impractical."
The Rs 1 lakh-crore bullet train project had been targeted by several opposition parties and the NDA's 'in-house opposition' Shiv Sena. The attack has become more intense since the stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone station on Friday.
But Mr Pawar, who is seen as battling speculations from the Sena about an imminent partnership between the BJP and his NCP, took on the Centre on other issues too.
The Make in India slogan, he said, seemed "very attractive initially, but its hollowness has begun to show now".
The bullet train project, he said, was "impractical" and the distribution of cost between Maharashtra and Gujarat was not proportional to benefits. "Maharashtra has barely got 4 stations (to be touched by the bullet train), the maximum stops are in Gujarat. But Maharashtra has to contribute equal finance in the project," he said.
"I do not know what is the purpose behind this bullet train," he said. "I think a bullet train is required between Mumbai and Delhi or Delhi and Kolkata or Mumbai and Chennai. A bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is impractical."
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The Rs 1 lakh-crore bullet train project had been targeted by several opposition parties and the NDA's 'in-house opposition' Shiv Sena. The attack has become more intense since the stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone station on Friday.
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But Mr Pawar, who is seen as battling speculations from the Sena about an imminent partnership between the BJP and his NCP, took on the Centre on other issues too.
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The Make in India slogan, he said, seemed "very attractive initially, but its hollowness has begun to show now".
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