Opposition will 'boycott' PM Modi over raincoat jibe, says Congress leader Anand Sharma

Senior Congress leader and former Cabinet minister in the Manmohan Singh government, Anand Sharma, has blasted the BJP-ruled central government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "raincoat" remarks in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Sharma said the opposition party has decided to "boycott" Modi and will also attack the central government over the recently released Union Budget.Sharma went on to say that the Budget speech by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley lacked concrete plans for the economic growth of the country.Sharma said, "The job and wage loss has been very high. At least 45 million jobs will be lost in the current fiscal year. It's a frightening situation and the government has not been able to answer anything. There is absolutely no hopes of reviving the Indian economy in 2017."[caption id="attachment_3275080" align="alignleft" width="380"] Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma. AP file image[/caption]About the Centre's demonetisation move, Sharma said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that there was no shortage of cash for a single day after demonetisation is contrary to the real situation, and the whole country is aware of it. ATMs are often empty or defunct. He thought about demonetisation, but was not prepared well and he refuses to acknowledge that the move has caused immense loss."With regards to the recent jibe made by Modi in the Rajya Sabha, where he said Manmohan Singh has perfected the art of "bathing in the shower while wearing a raincoat" — a reference to the former prime minister's alleged involvement in scams during his tenure."The prime minister is intolerant to criticism, lives in denial, is arrogant and has lowered the dignity of his office repeatedly. He has used language that is unacceptable to political debates. The prime minister actually relishes insulting and berating the political opposition," Sharma said."He hurled insult after insult, violated the ethics of the House, berated Indira Gandhi. Modi has insulted Indian democracy in Parliament," Sharma added.He further spoke about how Modi used "vitriolic abuse" to shut out the opposition and to dictate the House and the Opposition when to speak. "Mazaak mein bhi pradhan mantri ko bhaasha ka khayal rakhna chahiye (The PM must keep decency of language in mind even while joking)," he said."This kind of mindset, the kind of lies being peddled. The final chapter of the prime minster's saga will be written by us," he added.