"Pity the ones at home": Congress after Singapore PM references Nehru

After Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong invoked Jawaharlal Nehru during a speech on democracy, the Congress on Thursday said while the country's first premier continues to inspire world leaders even today, PM Narendra Modi denigrates him inside and outside of Parliament.

"Pandit Nehru's magnanimity continues to inspire world leaders even today. Pity the ones here at home who fail to have the vision to understand the exceptional leader he was," the Congress said on its Twitter handle.

Senior party leader and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh shared a video clip of Lee Hsien Loong's speech and said, "Singapore PM invokes Nehru to argue how democracy should work during a parliamentary debate whereas our PM denigrates Nehru all the time inside and outside Parliament."

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the BJP, despite being in power for more than seven years, continued to blame Nehru for the problems of the people.

The Indian Overseas Congress also said on Twitter, "Nehru stands tall as an epitome of democracy! Listen to PM of Singapore who refers to Nehru when he speaks about building a democratic society. Hope our PM listens to it." The All India Mahila Congress also shared an identical tweet.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh tweeted, "This is the difference between Lee Hsien Loong and Narendra Modi. Lee is leading Singapore to new heights of development and Modi is taking our country for a ride on false promises. No matter how hard Modi tries, Pt Nehru shall remain immortal, builder of Modern India." Lee invoked Nehru while arguing how democracy should work in the city-state during a passionate debate in Parliament.

"Most countries are founded and start off on the basis of high ideals and noble values. But more often than not, beyond the founding leaders and the pioneer generation, over decades and generations, gradually things change," he said on Tuesday.

"Things start off with passionate intensity. The leaders, who fought for and won independence, are often exceptional individuals of great courage, immense culture, and outstanding ability. They came through the crucible of fire and emerged as leaders of men and nations. They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own too," he said.

Imbued with enormous personal prestige, they strive to meet the high expectations of their peoples to build a brave new world, and shape a new future for their peoples, and for their countries. But beyond that initial fervour, succeeding generations often find it hard to sustain this momentum and drive, Mr Lee said.

The texture of politics changes, respect for politicians declines. After a while, the electorate comes to think this is the norm. So, standards get debased, trust is eroded, and the country declines further, he said.