Modi still functioning like CM of India, not PM: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s veiled charge that Sonia Gandhi was an “unconstitutional authority” and instead accused the BJP and the government of “running to” RSS with a “pernicious” hidden agenda.

He attacked Modi, saying he ran an “over-centralised” government and it would not go too far if it continued like this. In a dig at him, he said Modi had transformed from Chief Minister of Gujarat to Chief Minister of India. “He (Modi) still functions like he is Chief Minister. He is not functioning like the Prime Minister. Every decision is taken by his office like he did it in Gujarat. You can do it in a state. You cannot do that in a country. I am not the only one who is saying it. Everybody seems to be saying the same thing.”

Chidambaram, who held Finance and Home



portfolios during the tenures of UPA government, dismissed criticism that Congress was adopting obstructionism in Parliament and said as the Opposition, its duty was to raise issues.

“They have not been able to point to a single instance, where Mrs. Sonia Gandhi took any government decision. She was the President of the party. As President of the party, she is entitled to give the party’s view.

“Why do BJP leaders run to Jhandewalan and Nagpur? (RSS headquarters). You constantly hear four ministers meet at Jhandewalan, four ministers went to Nagpur,” he said.

“Every decision of the UPA was taken either in the cabinet or cabinet committee. You can criticise the merit of the decision. But, how can one deny that the decision was taken by the cabinet or cabinet committee concerned?” he added.