Modi's doublespeak on FDI exposed: Congress

As the NDA liberalised FDI policy, Congress on Wednesday dug out Narendra Modi's speech and comment as chief minister of Gujarat opposing the introduction of FDI single brand retail by the then UPA government.

The Congress also accused the Modi government of diluting the safeguards the then UPA government had introduced to protect domestic manufacturing by asking global investors to source 30% of their inventory from local sources.

At the daily briefing, the Congress played old speeches of Modi attacking the then UPA government for allowing FDI in single brand retail. "Congress is giving nation to foreigners. Most parties opposed FDI but due to sword of CBI, some didn't vote and Congress won through back door," Modi had said on Twitter on December 5, 2012.

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"As BJP Govt allows 100% FDI in Single Brand Retail by doing away the requirement of 30% sourcing through 'Make in India', PM & FM's duplicity & doublespeak stand exposed," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

Congress spokesperson R P N Singh also attacked the Modi government for allowing foreign airliners to pick up stake in national carrier Air India. "The UPA had allowed 49% FDI in airline sector but had exempted Air India to ensure that Indians continue to run it," Singh said.

The Congress also dug out statements made by BJP leaders including Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, opposing FDI in single-brand retail when it was introduced by the UPA in 2012.

"The BJP takes one stand while in opposition and do exactly the opposition after voted to power," Singh said.