The BJP on Monday hit back at former Prime Minister and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh over his criticism of the BJP government's handling of the economy, saying India could not achieve the desired growth under him as he (Manmohan Singh) was used as a "puppet" by some to promote corruption and nepotism, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policy has propelled the country among the top world economies. 

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told a press conference that Indian economy is doing "quite well" despite a global slowdown, adding that the Modi government in its six years has laid a "formal foundation" with measures like the GST and tax reforms. 

"He (Manmohan Singh) was an economist but people behind the scenes used him as a puppet to impose their laws and promote corruption and nepotism. What kind of injustice it did to Indian economy we all know," Patra told reporters while replying to a question on Singh's comments.

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The BJP leader claimed that now the atmosphere is about "Modi hai to mumkin hai" (It is possible if Modi is there) as the prime minister has created a strong economy with good credentials in his six years of rule. PM Modi's economic policy has propelled India among the top five worlds economies, he added. 

"The world economy is facing a slowdown but we can say with happiness that Indian economy is doing well... because of strong base and fundamentals, our economy is doing quite well," he said. 

Manmohan Singh on the economy

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the state of the economy was "deeply worrying" and that "all-round mismanagement" by the Modi government has resulted in this slowdown. In a statement, he said the last quarter GDP growth rate of 5% signals that "we are in midst of a prolonged slowdown".The Congress leader said India has the potential to grow at a much faster rate. Singh said it is particularly the manufacturing sector's state was distressing. The sector's growth, tottering at 0.6% was worrisome, said the senior Congress leader.

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"India cannot afford to continue down this path. Therefore, I urge the government to put aside vendetta politics, and reach out to all sane voices and thinking minds, to steer our economy out of this man-made crisis," he said. "This makes it very clear that our economy has not yet recovered from the man-made blunders of demonetisation and a hastily implemented GST," Manmohan Singh said adding, "Investor sentiments are in doldrums. These are not the foundations for economic recovery."

Congress mocks Economy

Congress had also taken a dig at the Economy while the government recently announced a slew of measures aimed at tackling the slow growth. In a 4-min video, Congress alleges that the meaning of economy has changed as the rupee has become poor. It further goes on to say that all businesses have closed, which is all part of Modi's magic. They also allege that as India's GDP growth for FY20 has been revised to 6.7%, it will continue to do so.

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(With PTI inputs)