Modi government working for select businessmen; ignoring everyone else: Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA government over a number of issues, particularly the rising fuel prices.
“During the Manmohan Singh government (UPA 1 and UPA 2), crude oil prices had touches $140 per barrel, which resulted in an overall rise in fuel prices the world over. Today, however, the fuel prices are $70 per barrel. The extra money is being used to bail out select businessmen,” he claimed, adding that the government was only working for rich businessmen and not for the poor.
He further questioned why fuel prices had not come under the ambit of the Goods and Service Tax (GST). GST was introduced last July by the Centre, but fuel prices and alcohol did not fall under its ambit. “This proves once again why GST is Gabbar Singh Tax,” the Congress president added.
Gandhi also spoke of the united opposition that had formed to oppose the BJP. “This is to oppose the BJP’s attempt to encroach upon the Indian Constitution and various institutions. Under the Narendra Modi-led government, all key institutions are in jeopardy, and their autonomy is in danger. Congress is looking to connect parties and like-minded forces to oppose this move,” he added.
Hitting out at the PM for his silence, Gandhi added that because of the Centre’s economic policies, the biggest losers were the Medium and Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the poor of the country. “PM Modi, however, is not ready to speak and the government is the least interested in giving them any relief,” he alleged.
A day earlier, the Congress President visited the Mumbai suburb of Goregaon to meet party workers. He claimed that that after its close victory in Gujarat and reverses in Karnataka, the BJP would be wiped out in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections due later this year.
Gandhi accused Modi of neglecting his erstwhile guru (mentor) and BJP patriarch LK Advani and added that despite being political adversaries, he (Gandhi) ensured that Advani's esteem was retained in events like those organised in the Parliament.
"It is only one force that can protect the farmers and give employment to the youth, that is the Congress party," said Gandhi, who began his speech in Marathi and was hailed by Congress leaders who spoke before him as the "future Prime Minister."
from Daily News & Analysis https://ift.tt/2MmemZ2
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