Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong criticism towards the Congress party's election manifesto, cautioning against the potential consequences of its implementation on India's economic standing. Sitharaman highlighted the risk of India transitioning from being among the top five global economies to the "fragile five," a term used to describe economically unstable nations.
During a meeting with journalists in Pune, Sitharaman questioned the Congress party's financial preparedness to carry out the promises outlined in their manifesto. She cited a case in Karnataka where the Congress government struggled to fulfill election promises due to a lack of funds, indicating a similar scenario at a national level could adversely impact India's economic growth. Moreover, Sitharaman accused the Congress of prioritizing wealth redistribution at the expense of economic stability, echoing concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the party's alleged plans if it comes to power.
Sitharaman emphasized the BJP's responsibility to scrutinize the Congress manifesto, stating it was crucial to question the document's implications for the nation. The Finance Minister linked the manifesto to the ‘conducting an economic survey and x-ray of society’ remarks made by Rahul Gandhi, expressing concerns about the potential impact of such policies on India's economic future. She also highlighted the contrast between the BJP's approach, described as offensive and substantive, and the Congress party's manifesto, which she likened to a document more in line with the Muslim League's ideology.