Modi should also apologise for demonetisation, flawed GST rollout & stifling SMEs, says Rahul

Pune: Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides his apology for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Sindhudurg district, must express regret for demonetisation, flawed GST implementation, and destroying small and medium-scale (SMEs) industries.

He was speaking in Kadegaon in Sangli district where he unveiled the memorial and a statue of former Congressman late Patangraot Kadegaon Kadam on Thursday.

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and other senior state Congress leaders were present. The Congress leaders first went to Nanded to offer condolences to relatives of former MP Vasant Chavan who passed away on August 29.

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and other senior leaders of his party did not attend the event. Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam said that Thackeray declined the invitation over personal work.

Modi unveiled the Shivaji statue in Dec 2023 and it collapsed on August 26 and the PM tendered an apology during his recent visit to Maharashtra.

Rahul said, “I want to understand the reasons for his (PM’s) apology. It could be because he accepts that it was a mistake to give the contract for the statue’s installation to an RSS-linked person. The other reason could be that he has accepted that there was corruption in the installation. His apology to Shivaji Maharaj is not enough, he should apologise to the citizens of Maharashtra.”

The Congress leader reiterated his accusations that the Modi-led govt helps industrialists like Adani and Ambani.

Rahul said, “Youths are facing an unemployment crisis. The Adanis and Ambanis are not going to create employment. Small and medium-scale industries will but Modi destroyed them to help two industrialists. He should apologise for destroying SMEs too.”

He added that despite opposition, Modi brought three farm acts. “He forced demonetisation on the country. He is also responsible for the flawed implementation of GST. An apology is due for all these mistakes,” Rahul said.

The LoP blamed BJP’s ideology for the violence in the northeast. “BJP spreads hatred on the basis of castes, religions, and languages. Manipur is an example; there is a civil war-like situation there. But the PM has not visited the state. It could be because the BJP ignited the violence,” Rahul said.

He added that the battle between his party and the BJP is a war of ideologies. “On the one side there is Congress and people supporting progressive thinking and on the other is the BJP that wants regressive practices like caste system to remain. We are fighting the same battle fought by reformists like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.”

Rahul said that they will ensure a caste-based census to identify the population share every caste holds and their economic condition.

“We want a snapshot of the present situation. The RSS which was against such a headcount till a few days ago now says such a census is needed. Why did it deny the necessity earlier?” Rahul said.

Four states, including Maharashtra, will go to the polls this year. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress knows how to fight and win. “Voters in Maharashtra supported our alliance in the Lok Sabha poll and I am confident that they will continue their support in the assembly poll too,” Kharge added.

Kolhapur: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge set in motion the poll campaign for Maharashtra on Thursday.

Rahul called the Mahayuti govt a ‘churayee huyi sarkar’ (stolen govt). “The current govt in Maharashtra came to power through corruption. BJP has snatched the govt of the people by buying MLAs. This is not your (people’s) govt,” he added.

Kharge said if Maha Vikas Aghadi wins in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA govt will not last.

The Congress president told voters,” MVA is stronger and united. We have the real Shiv Sena and the real NCP with us. BJP has ‘nakli’ (fake) parties on its side. We will win in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand. If we win Maharashtra, then the country will win and Modi’s coalition govt will be gone.”

He said the sculptor contracted to design Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue was tasked with finishing the work to match Modi’s visit and the state’s reputation has been tarnished due to its collapse.

He appealed to women to refuse the Mukhyamantri Mazjhi Ladki Bahin scheme money. “BJP has started buying votes. Will you mortgage your pride? Refuse the money, elect an MVA govt, and we will give you what you want,” Kharge added.

Courtesy : TOI

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