P Chidambaram hails PM's stand on population control

Mumbai/New Delhi : PM Narendra Modi's push for population control in the country prompted key ally Shiv Sena on Friday to target a section of the Muslim community while senior Congress leader P Chidambaram welcomed his stand and said this should become a "people's movement".

As the Sena hailed Modi's message in his Independence Day address, the MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the prime minister was coming up with "discarded and intrusive" ideas of governance.

Alleging that a section of the minority community does not understand the importance of curbing population growth, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece `Saamana' also said that Modi will find a way to implement the concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

In a tweet, Owaisi said though majority of India's population is young and productive, the advantage will last only for two more decades. Taking a jibe at Modi, Owaisi alleged he is 'clueless' on how to use this advantage.

"Majority of India is young & productive, but this advantage will only last till 2040. @PMOIndia is clueless about what how to utilise this advantage, so he's coming up with discarded & intrusive ideas of governance that shirk his own responsibility (sic)," he tweeted.

Chidambaram welcomed Modi's announcements on population control, respect for wealth creators and shunning single-use plastic, and hoped the finance minister and tax officials would heed to his exhortation.

"All of us must welcome three announcements made by the PM on I-Day. Small family is a patriotic duty; Respect wealth creators and Shun single-use plastic.

"Of the three exhortations, I hope the FM(Nirmala Sitharaman) and her legion of tax officials and investigators heard the PM's second exhortation loud and clear," he said.

Chidambaram, a former finance and home minister, said, "The first and third exhortations must become people's movements.

There are hundreds of dedicated voluntary organisations that are willing to lead the movements at local levels."