New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Thursday, trained guns at the BJP government in the Centre over the economic slowdown faced by the country and said that the double engine model on which BJP seeks votes has “failed utterly”.

Targeting the NDA government in Maharashtra, Singh said that the state has faced some of the worst effects of economic slowdown.

He said that the BJP governments in Centre and Maharashtra are unwilling to adopt people-friendly policies.

He highlighted that the manufacturing growth rate of Maharashtra has been declining for fourth consecutive year.

“Much advertised double engine model of governance on which BJP seeks votes has utterly failed. Maharashtra has faced some of the worst effects of economic slowdown. Manufacturing growth rate of Maharashtra has been declining for fourth consecutive year,” said the former Prime Minister.

He said that the economic slowdown and government’s apathy on the issue, is adversely affecting the aspirations and the future of Indians.

Citing the closure of many units in Maharashtra, he said that the business sentiments have gone down in the state.

“Maharashtra has highest factory shutdowns in last five years,” Singh pointed.

He said that government’s obsession with low inflation is inflicting misery on farmers and government’s import-export policies are also hurting.

Responding to the Enforcement Directorate's move against Congress leader Praful Patel, Singh said: "I hope political vendetta won't be used to settle scores with people of different political hues."