P Chidambaram says ‘what’s new in Narendra Modi’s message?’ 

P Chidambaram. 

Former finance minister and senior Congress member P Chidambaram took a jibe at the prime minister, Narendra Modi, after the latter’s address to the nation, in which he announced the extension of the lockdown to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

In a series of tweets, on Tuesday, Chidambaram said the Congress supports his decision to extend the lockdown but accused the Modi government of not having a roadmap to alleviate the suffering of the poor as “it was not the government’s priority”.

We reciprocate the PM’s New Year greetings. We understand the compulsion for extending the lockdown. We support the decision

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020

But beyond the lockdown, what was ‘new’ in PM’s new year message?

It is obvious that livelihood for the poor — their survival — is not among the priorities of the government.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020

CMs’ demand for money elicited no response. Not a rupee has been added to the miserly package of March 25, 2020

From Raghuram Rajan to Jean Dreze, from Prabhat Patnaik to Abhijit Banerji, their advice has fallen on deaf years.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020

The poor have been left to fend for themselves for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting food. There is money, there is food, but the government will not release either money or food.

Cry, my beloved country.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 14, 2020

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