Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly rebutted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Narendra Modi government was promoting crony capitalism.
After the presentation of Union budget, Rahul had said that Modi planned to hand over India’s assets to crony capitalists. These plans guided the Modi government policy of disinvestment in various public sector companies, he added.
Nirmala said that she doesn’t agree with Rahul’s charge, aimed at Adani group, pointing out an instance from Kerala to make her point. When the Congress was in power in Kerala many years ago, it had handed over the development of Vizhinjam sea port to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, she pointed out.
“Can he explain as to how for developing Vizhinjam port a crony capitalist, (I would not call him that but he uses that word) was invited by the Congress party …. if he cannot answer that, Rahul Gandhi should be clear that either he understands nothing about what he speaks, or he is being ill-advised,” she said.
Unveiling the policy for public sector units, the FM said that barring four strategic sectors, the government will withdraw from other sectors. She said a clear roadmap for disinvestment from various sectors has been made.
