Udaipur, December 1: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday while addressing the business community and professionals in Udaipur slammed the Narendra Modi government for destroying the government institutions to benefit the private ones. He was of the opinion that public sector institutions are essential to run the country and no private sector institutions can compete with them.

Answering a question on crony capitalism on health sector and privatisation of government institutions, Gandhi said, “The amount of money for healthcare under Ayushman Bharat scheme and in education sector has not been given to people.” Adding more he said, “It's a myth that private sector educational institutes are better. Without government healthcare or education, you cannot run the country. There has to be a public sector institutions to run the government. No private sector institutions can compete this.” Kisan Mukti March in Delhi: Opposition Unity on Display at Farmers' Protest; Rahul Gandhi Says, 'PM Narendra Modi Gives Empty Speeches'

Asked on Congress’ view of development, he said, “Implementing lowcost public healthcare and public education system our goal to make India a successful superpower country. We need to change the 20th century institutional view of development. We do not need to replicate the old model.”

Making sharp attacks while answering questions on trade, the Congress president opined in last four and half years, the total NPA amount reached to Rs 12.5 lakh crores. He said, “The Union government waived around Rs 3.5 lakh crores for farmers, but gave Rs 12.5 lakh crores to 10-15 crony capitalists.” Naming Anil Ambani (Rs 45,000 crore), Nirav Modi (Rs 35,000 crore) and Vijay Mallya (Rs 15,000) crore, Gandhi accused the BJP government of benefitting only the capitalist ‘friends’. Also, he stated that due to these bad loans, the economic stability of the country broke down.

Speaking on the surgical strike, Gandhi accused PM Modi of snatching away the honour of Indian Army for political gain. He said, “Mr Narendra Modi actually reached into Army's domain and shaped their surgical strike, he turned their surgical strike into a political asset when it actually was a military decision.”

Taking a jibe at the Premier of knowing everything, Gandhi said, “PM is convinced he knows better than Army what needs to be done in Army's area, better than Foreign Minister what needs to be done in Foreign Ministry and better than Agriculture Minister what needs to be done in agriculture because he has a sense that all knowledge comes from his brain.”

Considering the fact that religion and religious beliefs are controversial debate, Gandhi questioned PM Modi’s understanding on Hindu culture and said, “What is the essence of Hinduism? What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody, knowledge is all around you. Every living being has knowledge. Our PM says he is a Hindu but he doesn't understand foundation of Hinduism. What kind of a Hindu is he?”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 12:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).