PM goes on the offensive against government critics

New Delhi: A day after anti-corruption activists led by Anna Hazare criticised the government over corruption and black money, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said those opposed to his administration were spreading falsehood.

“Everyday one hears of astronomical sums of black money that can be brought back in one stroke. It is alleged that in every area of its activity, our government has swindled unbelievable amounts of money. Nothing can be farther from the truth,” he said at the Congress Working Committee meeting on Monday in Delhi.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev had said at Sunday’s protest event that foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs20 trillion held the “key” to those people allegedly involved in stashing black money abroad. “If the government names the actual owners of the FDI, the puzzle to black money will be solved,” he said.

Singh said it was important for all leaders and workers of the Congress party to “educate the public about the canards and falsehoods being spread”.

“The misinformation being spread by disparate, desperate elements, unified only by their opposition to our government, needs to be tackled effectively,” he said.

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