Chidambaram takes a dig at BJP on economic growth

Taking a dig at the previous NDA government led by the BJP for poor economic performance, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the Congress-led UPA regime pushed up the average annual economic growth from 5.8 per cent to 8.5 per cent in the last five years.

"From 5.8 per cent during the NDA regime, the growth rate has increased to 8.5 per cent in the Congress-led UPA tenure," Chidambaram said.

"Only the Congress has the high degree of competence required to tackle all challenges, not the BJP," he said. He said it was due to the high growth rate, states were flush with money.

The growth rate would be close to seven per cent in 2008-09 despite the worst global economic crisis in 40 years, he said.  The minister said Mumbai and Maharashtra represent every opportunity available to Indians as well as problems that India faces.

"Mumbai is the commercial, industrial and financial capital of the country which drives the industry and service sector. Maharashtra has large farmlands which grow cotton, sugarcane and brought prosperity to farmers. Similarly, there are places where the farmlands are dry and farmers are very poor," he said.