PM Modi selling jewels in the crown of India: Rahul Gandhi on National Monetisation Pipeline plan

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was selling the "jewels in the crown" of India, adding that Congress is not against privatisation.

"There's a list of assets Congress has helped build. The PM is in the process of selling the crown jewels of this country," he said at a press conference here.

"They are selling away all we built. Every patriotic person should oppose this," Gandhi said.

He stressed Congress in not against privatisation.

"We are not against privatisation...we believe there should be a policy for privatisation. First point is that strategic assets should not be sold," he said.

The former Congress president said all assets will be sold to a few corporates, adding that it will lead to rise in unemployment in future.

"The whole idea is to create monopoly of three-four businessmen. Young people in India will not be able to find jobs in future. This will ensure our entire industrial structure will be controlled by three-four people," Gandhi said.

He compared the situation to the time when East India Company took over India.

"We have dealt with a monopoly that was the East India Company. This is what is happening now we are heading towards enslavement," he said.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram called it the "grand closing down sale".

"Virtually no public sector will be left after this exercise," Chidambaram said.

He also said consultations have not been held with the stakeholders before undertaking the exercise. (UNI)