New Delhi, May 26 Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack at the BJP-led NDA government on the completion of its nine years at the Centre, saying the ruling dispensation should organise “mahotsav” (festival) of its “nakami” (failure).
The party also released a ‘9 Saal, 9 Sawaal” document, which posed a volley of questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues including China, economy and farmers, and demanded the PM to break his ‘’silence’’.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh after launching the document against the BJP government along with his party colleagues—Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate, took a swipe at the PM over the various issues.
On economy, Ramesh said, “Why are inflation and unemployment skyrocketing in India? Why have the rich become richer and the poor become poorer? Why is public property being sold to PM Modi’s friends, even as economic disparities are increasing? The prices of all essential commodities have relentlessly risen since 2014.”
“Demonetisation and GST destroyed small businesses without eliminating black money, and demonetisation 2.0 announced recently is a fresh reminder of the government’s heartless approach,” he said in an apparent reference to the recent decision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to withdraw Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation.
Talking about national security, the Parliamentarian said, “PM Modi’s ‘clean chit’ to China in 2020 proved very dangerous for us. His silence on the 1,500 sq km of Indian territory controlled by China since 2020 speaks of his complete failure on the national security front.”
“Why is it that even after your clean chit to China, they continue to occupy Indian territory? Eighteen meetings have been held with China, yet why do they refuse to yield Indian territory and instead continue with their aggressive tactics?’’ questioned Ramesh.
On democracy and federalism, the MP accused the PM of ‘’weakening Constitutional values and democratic institutions’’ in the last nine years of its tenure.
“PM Modi talks about ‘cooperative federalism’, but the reality is contrary. All the institutions have been ‘devalued’ in the last nine years. NITI Aayog has become a part of the Prime Minister’s Office ,” he said.
Ramesh added, “All the investigative agencies have been misused. There has been a consistent effort to orchestrate a confrontation with the Judiciary. There has been a systematic attempt to undermine the independence and professionalism of all Constitutional and other legal authorities.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Congress spokesperson Shrinate said, “In the last nine years, the country has witnessed inflation, unemployment and corruption. The claims made by the PM proved to be false. The BJP govt should organise ‘mahotsav’ (festival) of its ‘nakami’ (failure).’
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a tweet in Hindi wrote, “BJP built a nine year old building on false promises and plight of the public. Inflation, hatred and unemployment, PM should take responsibility for these failures.”