Debunking Narendra Modi’s much-advertised “double engine” model of governance which “has utterly failed”,

former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday charged that the Government was “obsessed” with trying to somehow fix blame on its opponents and in the process, it had failed to revive the economy.

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to town claiming that the “double-engine” governance involving him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was a “super-hit” during the last five years and was giving a “eleven-fold” boost to the State’s

development, Singh said: “The much advertised “double engine” model of governance on which the BJP seeks votes has utterly failed. Mumbai and Maharashtra have had to face some of the worst effects of the grave economic slowdown”.

Interacting with businessmen, professionals and the media at the Garware Club of the Wankhede Stadium here, Singh took a swipe at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman for her comment that Indian public sector banks had the “worst phase” under the combination of him as the then Prime Minister and Raghuram Rajan as the RBI Governor.

“I have just seen the statement by Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, I won’t like to comment on that statement but I can merely point out that before one can fix the economy one needs a correct diagnosis of its ailments and their causes,” Singh said.

“The Government is obsessed with trying to somehow fix blame on its opponents, in the process it is unable to find solution that will ensure revival of the economy particularly strengthening of our banking system,” the former Prime Minister said.

Singh’s comment should be seen in the context of the remarks made by Sitaraman during a lecture Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs In in New York on Tuesday. “I have no reason to doubt that Rajan feels for every word of what he is saying. And I’m here today, giving him his due respect, but also placing the fact before you that Indian public sector banks did not have a worst phase than when the combination of Singh and Rajan, as Prime Minister and the Governor of Reserve Bank, had. At that time, none of us knew about it,” she said.

Maintaining that the Government’s “apathy and incapability” were affecting the future and aspirations of millions of our people, Singh said: “Manufacturing growth rate of Maharashtra has been declining for four consecutive years. Maharashtra has witnessed one of the highest factory shutdowns in the past five years”

“The industrial slowdown has been met with rising imports from China. In the last five years, imports from China have risen by more than Rs. 1,22,000 crores. Chemicals, fertilisers, electronic goods, and automobiles, products manufactured in Maharashtra, have seen rising imports from our neighbouring country,” he said.

Lamenting that the industrial slowdown was coming in India’s way to optimally utilise its demographic dividend, Singh said: “Only in the recent past, Maharashtra used to attract talent from around the country. Today there is a dearth of opportunities in this otherwise vibrant state.

“In urban areas, every third young person is jobless. Educated individuals have to face a higher rate of unemployment. It is thus no surprise that many of our young men and women are taking up low paying jobs. Investors are shifting to other states. The distress pervading our rural areas will only add to the unemployment problem as migration increases.”

The former Prime Minister said that Maharashtra, from once being the number one in attracting investments, “it is today a leader in farmer suicide”.

“Despite the promises of doubling farm incomes, the rural areas of Maharashtra are witnessing nothing short of a crisis. Caught between low incomes and high debt trap, the suicide rate has doubled. The obsession with low inflation is inflicting misery of our farmers. The Central Government’s import-export policies are also hurting farmers,” he said.

Accusing the BJP Governments, both at the Centre and at Maharashtra, of not being willing to adopt people-oriented policies, Singh said: “As water shortages compound, the situation will become still worse if not addressed soon. People from Maharashtra are already grappling with low availability of clean drinking water and are resorting to digging up dried river beds. While we cannot control the vagaries of nature, we can ensure the mitigation of the damage if we are economically sound”.

“A lot of problems facing Maharashtra today are man-made and the solutions lie in policies which are inclusive and welfare people-oriented., he said.

“It is my sincere belief that we need to go back to these time-tested measures if are to ensure gainful employment for our young people, men and women, farmer welfare, and a better standard of living for all the people of Maharashtra,” he said.

Calling for a change in the Government in the State, Singh said: “I can say without a doubt that the State will progress much better under the leadership of Congress-NCP”

“During my time as the Prime Minister of India, I had the privilege to work with many leaders from Maharashtra. I found that they were all committed to delivering good governance to the people of Maharashtra. The Bandra-Worli sea link is one example of the many spectacular works Congress could ensure. At a time of agri-distress, we delivered an effective loan waiver and ensured rural growth,” he said.

Among other things, the former Prime Minister said that while Maharashtra levied the highest VAT on petroleum products, “the high VAT coupled with Modi Government’s decision to levy excessive excise duties has punished the people despite low international crude prices”.

Replying to a question on the PMC Bank crisis, Singh appealed to Modi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the issue at the earliest. He indicated that the Congress would take up the PMC Bank issue in a big way in Parliament during the Winter Session beginning in mid November. 

“I appeal to the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister to resolve this matter at the earliest. The grievances must be solved,” he said.

Asked if he would intervene in the matter, Singh said: “The matter is coming up in the Supreme Court, so it is sub-judice I don’t want to comment much (on the issue). I am appealing to the Maharashtra Government, the RBI and the Centre to put the pragmatic hat and solve this at the earliest”

“I have heard your feedback. I assure you that when the Parliament convenes in mid-November, this issue (PMC bank and such cases) will figure very very prominently,” the former Prime Minister told a questioner.