'Powerless' rupee will have to be seen through 'microscope' soon: Narendra Modi

Hitting out at the Centre for its economic policies, Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, said the depreciating value of the rupee and the recent trend of small-scale industries shutting down were worrisome signs for the country’s development.

“The rupee has lost its power, if this continues, tomorrow we might have to look for the rupee through a microscope,” Modi said.

“Due to the policies of the government, small industries are shutting down. Look at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited in Trichy and the ancillary units that are shutting down,” Modi said.

“The government in Delhi wants to please the rich industrialists and harass small-scale units. The big industrialists are losing the bank money, but have you ever seen their photographs in the newspapers? But whereas a small factory owner can't return Rs. 1-2 lakh, his photo is published in the newspapers and he is driven to suicide,” Modi said.

Modi, who was speaking at a rally from another replica of the Red Fort, also targetted Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Centre’s massive expenditure on Aadhar identification cards.

“The Prime Minister should tell us how much money was spent on the Aadhaar card, where has the money gone?” Modi asked.

“Look at the Supreme Court judgment on Aadhar cards, the government has been touting the scheme as its big achievement. Please answer the court…Did all states and departments approve Aadhar? Isn't this waste of huge money,” he said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was announced as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections earlier this month.