P Chidambaram fended off criticism that the Congress was ignoring PV Narasimha Rao's legacy.
Highlights
- Aspects to Narasimha Rao government that blotted his record: Chidambaram
- Congress did not ignore Narasimha Rao's legacy: Chidambaram
- BJP will appropriate anyone, even its most severe critic: Chidambaram
On the 25th anniversary of India's economic liberalisation carried out under then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has told NDTV that while the former PM deserves full credit for the reforms, his rule was a "blot".
"I don't think anyone denies Narasimha Rao was the political force behind the economic reforms, he handled the politics of economic reforms very well. There are other aspects to his government which, I am afraid, blotted his record," said Mr Chidambaram, specifically referring to the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Fending off criticism that the Congress party was ignoring Narasimha Rao's legacy, Mr Chidambaram said, "We gave him a befitting funeral in Hyderabad to which the PM (Manmohan Singh), Mrs (Sonia) Gandhi, many others including me attended it. A memorial has been erected for him in Hyderabad. It is not as though all memorials have to be erected in Delhi."
Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for paying tribute to Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary last month, Mr Chidambaram said, "the BJP will appropriate anyone, even its most severe critic. I don't think tweeting is the best way to remember anyone, be that as it may I have no comment on that."