BJP government pushed people into poverty: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Former finance minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said the number of people below poverty line has increased over the last four years, while adding that it is the Congress party which could revive the nation out of the current economic crisis.

On the final day of the two-day Congress Plenary Session, Chidambaram, who presented the economic proposal, said, "Only Congress party can take the country out of the economic crisis. I'm saying this not because of arrogance, but because we have done it before and can do it again. It's the biggest achievement of Dr Manmohan Singh that 14 crore people were listed out of poverty. BJP government pushed people into poverty. Number of people below poverty line went up. It's the greatest disservice BJP government did to people of India."

The senior Congress leader further said that the current phase of economic growth started in 1990s when Rajiv Gandhi sowed the seeds of liberalization, and it gained momentum under former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was the finance minister from 1991 to 1993.

Commenting on the present economic situation, Chidambaram not only criticised demonetisation, but also slammed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), "There can't be a greater lie than demonetisation. Why has RBI not been able to complete the counting of currency returned? I would like to tell the RBI officials why don't you go to Hundi collectors in Tirupati? They count money faster than you."

"The Modi Government inherited a strong economy. The task of development has to be continued by future generations. However, today, the Indian economy is decoupled from the world economy which is growing," he added.

The 84th Congress Plenary Session is being held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, here.