The Congress on Tuesday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a BJP MLA’s reported remark that students should forget about jobs and open motorcycle puncture repair shops instead of concentrating on acquiring degrees.
BJP MLA Pannalal Shakya’s remarks, made at an event held in Guna, was reported by news agency PTI on Monday. The Telegraph Online had carried the report.
"We are opening a PM College of Excellence today. I appeal to everyone to keep one sentence (bodh vakya) in mind that nothing is going to happen with these college degrees. Instead, open a motorcycle puncture repair shop to at least earn a livelihood," Shakya was quoted as having said.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday morning: “This is simply an extension of pakoranomics popularised by the self-anointed non-biological PM.”
He was quote-tweeting a post by Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor, which said: “Just when all are concerned about the state of education & lack of employment, comes this frank admission from a BJP MLA that “punctures” the pretensions of his own government. Does anyone still need to ask which party has the better ideas for India’s future? @INCIndia.”
Tharoor had included a link to the statement by the Madhya Pradesh MLA.
The statement by the BJP MLA ironically came at an event to inaugurate a 'PM College of Excellence' in his Guna Assembly constituency.
Union home minister Amit Shah had e-inaugurated PM College of Excellence in 55 districts in the state on Sunday at a function held in Indore, with separate events held in the respective districts, including Guna.
