Congress slams PM Modi for declining economy

Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to reverse the economic decline in the country, Congress leaders on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Modi for the faltering Indian economy.

Talking to ANI on the same, Congress leader Renuka Choudhary said that bringing up the previous government has become a mantra for the Prime Minister.

"Is the previous GDP an excuse to talk about today's GDP? Is he aware of the facts? Has he not understood what demonetisation and GST have done to the market? There is no business or employment outside. Previous government is the mantra of this government. If this is the mantra, they should give us 8.6 percent GDP. This is nothing but immaturity and inexperience," she said.

Echoing the same views, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the Prime Minister must give an account of himself, following the decline of the economy.

"Prime Minister must realize that he is not the opposition but for three and half years he has been the Prime Minister. It is for him to give an account of his betrayal to the people. He continues to mislead and remains in arrogant denial," he said.

Adding, "The ground realities are harsh. Investments have fallen by six percentage points. Credit off-take has fallen to a historic low of 65 years. The average GDP for 10 years was eight percent and it was more than nine percent for four consecutive years."

He also said that comparing the GDPs of both the governments is not fair as his government has changed the methodology of calculating the GDP.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi addressed the inauguration of Golden Jubilee Year of the Institute of Company Secretaries (ICSI) in New Delhi, where he slammed the critics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union Government, saying that "some people find pleasure in spreading pessimism."

The Prime Minister's remark came in the wake of the Congress and other opposition parties' criticism of the government policies, especially the manner in which the Doklam stand-off with China was called off in August.

Prime Minister Modi said, "There are some people, who sleep well only after they spread a feeling of pessimism all around. We need to recognise such people."

He also said that the economy did plunge in the April-June quarter, but the Centre is constantly committed to reverse the decline.

-ANI