Modi pulled down the stature of PM's office: Congress

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "shamshan and kabristan" remarks, the Congress said he has "pulled down" the stature of the high office.

"The BJP is staring at an imminent defeat in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls and in desperation, Modi unleashed his divisive agenda by talking about 'shamshan and kabristan' (graveyard and cremation ground) and power during Ramzan and Diwali," Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal told reporters here.

"The Prime Minister should respect his position. Using such words is evidence enough that he has not matched up to the high office that he holds. Infact, Modi has pulled down the stature of Prime Minister's office," Badal told reporters here.

"These are not the ideas that constitute India. This is a country in which hundred flowers bloom. It is high time that Modi behaves like a Prime Minister," he said.

Taking on Modi government for allegedly not doing much on its promises even after completing half of its term, the Congress leader said, "Schemes have only become slogans.

Promises have been reduced to lip service and welfare limited to events." Citing the Centre's 'Startup India' scheme, Badal said Modi government has managed to disburse only Rs 5.66 crore of the promised Rs 10,000 crore to fledgling companies.

The BJP had promised to give farmers 50 per cent profit in addition to the cost of production as support price which they have now rejected, Badal alleged.

"It is playing a game of deception and the net result is that in these elections in five state, they have no development issues to raise," he added.