UPA failed in marketing, says Sushma Swaraj

NEW DELHI: The Modi government came under fire from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday for making “tall promises” which they alleged would be be difficult to achieve, even as external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made a spirited defence.

Speaking on the motion of thanks to the President for his address to the Parliament, Samajwadi party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav as well as senior Congress leader Amarinder Singh claimed that the government has failed to to contain price rise and unemployment.

Mr Yadav claimed “Since your government has come to power, prices have gone up again and we thought you will fulfill the promise of ending inflation. We have earlier seen such electoral victory and have fought those governments too  whether of Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. I am just reminding you.”

Intervening in the discusison Mr Swaraj took a swipe at the Congress saying that it lost owing to its non-performance and because its “product” was not marketable.

“Let us be clear that the product should be good. If it is not, then marketing will make no impact. Our product was liked by the people because of its quality,” she said in the Lok Sabha.

“You also did your marketing. But there was an-ger against your government. People accepted Mr Modi as an alternative and the candidates (of the NDA) became secondary and people cutting across caste and creed voted for Mr Modi,” she added.

Ms Swaraj’s remarks  came in response to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s comments on Tuesday wherein he had said that the BJP is good at marketing and propaganda.

Leading the Opposition charge in the Lok Sabha the SP chief said “You  promised to take back PoK and the territory taken over by China. Tell us by when will you do this. We will support you.”

Referring to Mr Modi’s bilateral meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sha-rif , the Mr Yadav said, “Did you ask him to ret-urn PoK? What were the issues you discussed? Will you keep them a secret or inform the Parliament?”