Why does PM 'turn active' only in US interest: Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of "acting" in the interest of United States first in getting the nuclear deal through and then allowing FDI in multi-brand retail and questioned why he did not "turn active in India's interest".

Addressing a rally in Faridabad at the conclusion of the Natiion Council meet, Modi also raised questions if the FDI decision was linked to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to the United States, as it came through a day after Gandhi returned from her tour there.

He also sought to know if there was a connect between the decisions taken by him and the elections in the US.

"There are many questions that the nation wants to ask from the Prime Minister. We want to know why you became 'singham' (turned active) twice during the last eight years – once for getting the nuclear deal through and the other time now while taking the FDI decision.

"You have not bothered about the government, if it remains or goes, but turned active in the interest of foreigners.... The nation wants to know why can you not gather courage to act in India’s well-being," Modi said.

Questioning the timing of PM's decisions, Modi said, "I want to know what is the link between US elections and your turning active."

"In 2008, ahead of the US elections Manmohan Singh suddenly turned active to get the Nuclear Treaty signed...then the next four years you go into slumber....then again when US elections are going to be held after four years, the Prime Minister turns active," Modi said.

He also asked if the decision to allow FDI in retail was taken a day after Gandhi returned from the US.

"What is the reason for this? Is Sonia's coming a reason or is her America visit the reason? What is the reason that you have taken all your decisions at such a time that raise many questions?," Modi said.

Earlier addressing the rally, BJP leader L K Advani praised Modi for attaining a "tall" stature and said he as an elder in the party was happy about it.

"Someone asked me that Narendra Modi has become bigger than the party. I said in a family, if the grandson earns a big name then the elders in the family always feel good.

"If someone within the family is emerging taller, then it is not a matter of concern, but happiness," Advani said.

Modi highlighted the development in Gujarat and affirmed that the milk to even the Prime Minister’s residence came from his state.

While his government was taking initiative to promote White revolution, he claimed the central government was more interested in promoting export of beef and was even giving subsidy on it.

On the Coal scam, Modi claimed that there were reports that the Prime Minister had said that a Congress leader had a role in the scam.

"Why was that news suppressed?," Modi questioned, asking the Prime Minister to clarify.

Among others who also addressed the rally were BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shiuvraj Chohan.

The BJP’s 'Congress hatao, Desh bachao' rally was held after the conclusion of the party's National Executive and two-day National Council Meet that was attended by top leaders and chief ministers of the party.