Oppn accuses BJP of re-branding Congress programmes

The Congress on Monday accused the BJP-led NDA government of repackaging nearly 30 government schemes initiated by the Congress-led governments since 1985.

"Names of all the schemes launched after 1985 have been changed. That's why I say, that the government is not a game-changer but a name-changer," Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Rajya Sabha.

"Where are the new schemes? In politics, there is a need for at least some honesty, but nobody knows repackaging better than the BJP government and Prime Minister Modi," Azad said, leading the Opposition's charges against the government.

In a sharp counter to BJP president Amit Shah, who praised the achievements and future plans of the Modi government, he argued that targets set for schemes like the Swachh Bharat (Clean India campaign) and National Health Protection Scheme wouldn't work because the ground realities are different.

The veteran Congress leader also charged the BJP with creating a fear psychosis across the country and diving the country on communal lines.

"A fear psychosis has set in. You cannot see when you are in power. If someone is scared to talk to the Opposition or transact with them, it is not good for democracy or freedom of speech or even freedom of business.

"The Opposition party leaders were being treated as potential terrorists and their phones were being tapped. No one today talks to me over the phone because they say your phone is tapped," he claimed.

The Congress leader who sported a Gandhi-topi instead of his trademark fur cap asked the government to bring back the old India where Hindus and Muslims shed blood for each other and where eight-month-old babies were not raped.

Opposition members, including those from the Congress, SP, NCP and the Left parties, moved 324 amendments to the President's speech as part of the debate on the Motion of Thanks.