Modi takes a swipe at Manmohan

'Only he knows how to bathe with a raincoat on'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a dig at his predecessor Manmohan Singh for his criticism of demonetisation.

Modi said that politicians should learn from the former prime minister for avoiding “any black marks” despite scams during his regime.

The left-handed comment by the prime minister, who also said “only he (Singh) knows how to take a shower with a raincoat on”, prompted an angry Congress to walk out from the Rajya Sabha after registering protest.

The face-off between Modi and Opposition benches took place during the prime minister’s reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address after which the Upper House adopted the speech without any changes as the CPI(M), CPI, JD(U) and Trinamool Congress also walked out in protest, dissatisfied with the government response.

Modi’s reference to Singh came as the latter had during Winter Session said that demonetisation was “monumental mismanagement, organised loot and legalised plunder”.

Referring to the “foreword” he wrote for the Congress booklet on economic situation in the country, Modi said Singh is one of the biggest economists in the world who played a crucial part in shaping the country’s economic policies for the past 30-35 years.

“So many scams occurred. We politicians have a lot to learn from Doctor Saheb. So much happened, there is not a single black mark on him. Only he knows how to take a shower with a raincoat on. Learn from him,” Modi said as Congress members protested and later walked out.

Congress hits back

Sources said the party will seek Modi’s apology and if it does not come by the way, they will ensure the Parliament does not function. “I do not want to speak,” Singh evaded reporters when asked about his comments, while Congress leaders jumped into his defence.

Party MP and former finance minister P Chidambaram said they walked in protest as “such harsh and ugly” comments were not acceptable. “No prime minister in the past made such comments about a former prime minister,” he told reporters.

“Look at his arrogance, he chooses to speak when everyone else is done and then makes unsubstantiated allegations,” MP and former Union minister Kapil Sibal said.