PM terms PC ‘ recounting minister’

Tirupur ( TN), Feb. 10: In an apparent reference to senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday taunted him as a “recounting minister’ of the UPA regime, describing him as “arrogant”.

Citing his government’s step of offering tax exemption for those with incomes upto ` 5 lakh, he told a public rally here that it was a reflection of genuine concern for the middle class, unlike the previous UPA regime.

After referring to this step, Mr Modi said he wanted to recall the state of affairs during the UPA regime. “There was a very wise minister from Tamil Nadu,” he said and told the audience, “you know whom I am talking about.”

When the people responded loudly, he said, “right, the recounting minister,” without directly naming the former Union finance minister.