Mangaluru, (The Hindu): Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “merchant of dreams”, Congress leader Anand Sharma told presspersons here on Friday that Mr. Modi, as head of a government, stands exposed having lost all credibility and betraying people of the country.

Mr. Sharma, who is Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said that Mr. Modi has cheated farmers with his promise of announcing 50 % minimum support price on the basis of cost of production yet to becoming a reality.

Mr. Modi should apologise to the people of Karnataka and not seek votes as he had failed to create the promised two crore jobs, he said.

Stating that though corruption has been rampant and that there have been innumerable allegations against BJP leaders, the government is not bothered about them. No probes have been ordered on the charges of illegal mining in different BJP-ruled States, he said.

The Congress, instead, had acted promptly, though there were unsubstantiated allegations against its leaders, Mr. Sharma said.

He has to share the business model of enterprises built by his people, including one of his Ministers and BJP treasurer, Mr. Sharma said.

Mr. Modi assumes that there are two laws and two “Constitutions” in the country — one for his people and the other for the Opposition. Central agencies are being misused to target his critics and, at the same time, to protect the misdeeds of his own people, he said and added that Mr. Modi is intolerant of criticism and does not answer questions.

The country, with a 130 crore population, has only two intellectuals — Mr. Narendra Modi and [BJP national president] Amit Shah, Mr. Sharma chided and charged them with making people fools while projecting themselves as saints. He said, “I request the Prime Minister to break his silence and talk on corruption, employment and farmers,” he said and wondered why farm loans have not been waived.

Taking a jibe at the BJP’s hollow promises, Mr. Sharma questioned how many new police stations for women have been set up in the National Capital Region where policing is under the Union government’s control.

While Mr. Modi talks very highly of the banking system during his visits to the coastal region, people have lost faith in it because of “scams by his friends”, Mr. Sharma said. He has also insulted the armed forces of the country; these forces are of India and not of Mr. Modi or Mr. Shah, he added.

The countdown has started, Mr. Sharma said and added that India has never seen such a ruling party that has conducted itself in such a disrespectful manner. If one considers the Election Commission filings, the BJP has become the richest political party in the world. It is only a matter of time when the country will be rid of this government, he said.

District Congress president Harish Kumar and Congress national media panellist Jaiveer Shergill were present.