BJP’s ‘pathological hatred for PM’ responds to Congress’ ‘9 questions’ attack

New Delhi:

The BJP, armed with official growth figures, came all guns blazing against Congress’ nine questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his nine-year tenure at the Centre. Calling them “a bundle of lies and a mountain of deceit”, former minister and top BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said today that he initially thought to ignore it, but that’s such a “big bundle of lies” that he found it necessary to set the save directly.

“These questions, full of frustration, are born out of Congress’ hatred of Prime Minister Modi. They are not questions born out of criticism, which they have a right to do, but the result of pathological hatred towards Narendra Modi,” Mr. Prasad said. said.

They (Congress) questioned the “mismanagement” of Covid, the former labor minister fumed, calling it “not just a lie, but the height of Congressional shamelessness”.

They also questioned the lockdown even when the whole world agrees that India’s handling of Covid was the best, he said, citing various government efforts to contain the pandemic. He said the big old party was free to criticize but questioned why it was “weakening India’s resolve” by using this.

“It is a huge disrespect to the thousands of service workers – doctors, nurses, health workers and paramedics – who tried to save the country during the Covid crisis. We strongly condemn this,” he said. declared.

Ravi Shankar Prasad said he was “amused” by Congress’ assertion that India’s economy is in terrible shape. India’s economy was among the ‘fragile five’ during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure, he pointed out, adding that under Prime Minister Modi’s nine years at the helm, it was among the top five in the world.

The former minister then highlighted the figures which he said indicated massive growth in the economy.

“The Indian economy was $1 trillion in 2014, it has now surpassed $3.5 trillion. India has over 50 lakh crore in foreign exchange reserves. India has exported goods worth from Rs 36 lakh crore, it was only Rs 19 lakh crore in 2014,” he said.

On rising prices, Prasad countered by comparing annual inflation figures with the world’s major economies.

“In April 2023, India’s annual inflation was 4.7%. In the United States it was 8.9, in Australia 8.5, in France 17.5, in Sweden 21.2 and in Germany 23.5,” he said, adding that this was despite the war in Ukraine which was “dislocating” the country. global supply chain, affecting the whole world.

He then moved on to questions about farmers. Citing minimum support price figures, he said Congress was lying about MSP.

“The MSP for rice was Rs 1,360 per quintal in 2014-15, today it is Rs 2,040 per quintal. Paddy was Rs 1,400, now it is Rs 2,060 per quintal. Rs 1 250 to Rs 2,350, and toor dal MSp increased from Rs 4,350 to Rs 6,600,” Mr. Prasad said.

“They should check records and correct their data before making any allegations,” he added.

The former minister then sought to “check the facts” of Congress’ claim that the manufacturing sector was weakening.

Mr Prasad said India exported for defense worth Rs 16,000 crore and was the second largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world.

“In 2022-23, mobile phones worth Rs 90,000 crore were exported, employing around four to five lakh people (70% women). In 2014, India exported 78% of its Now, 99% of India’s needs are met by Indian-made mobiles,” he said, without giving a comparison of overall manufacturing data.

Mr Prasad also denounced Congress for questioning the goods and services tax, which the former Congress speaker called the “Gabbar Singh tax”.

Revenue of Rs 1.87 lakh crore was generated by GST, the highest on record, he said, and went on to cite data from direct profit transfers.

“In 2022-2023, Rs 6,68,435 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of the poor under 312 schemes.

India’s fintech market is one of the largest in the world, Prasad pointed out. “It was Rs 50 billion in 2021 and will touch $150 billion by 2025. Digital payments in India are worth $10 billion,” he said, suggesting that the leaps and bounds of the India towards digitalization boosted economy.

On the issue of unemployment, Mr. Prasad did not cite official figures but suggested that the pace of road construction, the development of metros and the electrification of railways, among others, have surely generated jobs. . He also said tech unicorns employ dozens of people.

“Railway electrification was only 33% in 2013-2014, today it is 90%. India has the cheapest internet in the world. 74 new airports have been built,” said Mr Prasad, suggesting they were boosting employment.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, on the issue of corruption, mocked Congress, citing sensational allegations of corruption during his tenure at the Center, specifically naming the 2G scam, the Commonwealth Games, the Adarsh ​​scam, Bofors, l scam and the helicopter.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, flanked by party leaders Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate, released a ‘Nau saal, Nau sawaal’ booklet earlier today and said Prime Minister Modi became prime minister that day. nine years ago and therefore the party wants to ask him nine questions.