Author: Nirmala Sitharaman
Publication: Niticentral.com
Date: December 1, 2013
URL: http://www.niticentral.com/print-posts.php?p=163542

BJP in a strongly worded letter has demanded an apology from Finance Minister P Chidambaram after the latter claimed that BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has delivered his first lesson in economics. Chidambaram based his statement on a report in The Indian Express. Much to the Minister’s discomfort, the Indian Express, on Sunday has issued a clarification.

The paper has clarified: “The Indian Express had inadvertently used inflation instead of economic crisis in the report. The error is regretted.”

BJP national spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman in a Press statement said, “Through his hurried statement, typically worded with pompousness and put-on sarcasm, P Chidambaram has only rushed to cover-up his failures to manage the economy. The Minister has failed to check what actually was said by Narendra Modi.  Had he only checked the speech, P Chidambaram would have known that ‘aarthiksankat’ were the exact words used and not ‘inflation.’”

Following the full statement of the letter:

Bharatiya Janata Party
(Central Office)
11, Ashok Road, New Delhi - 110001
Tel: 23005700; Fax: 23005787

Date: 1 Decemebr, 2013

Press Statement issued by
BJP National Spokesperson, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman

In a signed statement dated 30 November, 2013, Union Finance Minister, Shri P Chidambaram based his statement on a report in the Indian Express. Much to the minister's discomfort, the Indina Express, today has issued a clarification.

The paper has clarified: "The Indian Express had inadvertently used inflation instead of economic crisis in the report. The error is regretted."

Through his hurried statement, typically worded with pompousness and put-on sarcasm, Shri. P Chdambaram his failed to check what actually was said by Shri Narendra Modi. Had he only checked the speech Shri P Chidambaram would have known that 'aarthiksankat' were the exact words used and not 'inflation.'

Delivering lectures and lessons may interest the minister, while shri Narendra Modi continues with providing good governance and development to all people in Gujarat. All 'economists' are already taking due 'note' of Shri Modi's performance vis-a-vis the worsening current account deficit (CAD) for which he (Shri P Chidambaram) and his party are solely responsible.

In his hasty statement, unbecoming of a union minister, he betrays his party's incapacity and frustration to politically engage with Shri Modi.

The BJP demands an apology for the signed statement by the Union Minister, Shri. P Chidambaram, now that the Indian Express has issued its regret.

(ER. Arun Kumar Jain)
Office Secretary