Patna (Bihar) [India], September 24 (ANI): As the CWC meeting concluded, Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday expressed concerns over the “worrying” economic situation in the country.
Citing Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s address at the CWC meeting held today, Baghel said that the situation remains “worrying” whether it pertains to internal or external affairs.
“Mallikarjun Kharge delivered an introductory address. In it, he expressed deep concern about the current situation. He said that whether it is internal or external affairs, the situation is worrying everywhere. The economic situation within the country is the most worrying,” Baghel said while addressing a presser here.
Flagging the budget reduction for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Congress leader took a swipe at the Centre over its unfulfilled promise of doubling farmers’ income.
“On one hand, there was talk of doubling farmers’ income, but that hasn’t happened. On the other hand, the MNREGA (sic) budget has been reduced. The MSP-based industries, including our small and medium-sized ones, have collapsed. Even when GST was implemented, Congress opposed it and suggested 4 per cent and 8 per cent slabs. However, five slabs were kept, and you can read the Prime Minister’s speech at that time, he even said it was a revolutionary step, marking the country’s second independence,” Baghel said.
“Regarding foreign policy, Kharge said that all our neighbouring countries today, whether Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, have tilted towards China,” he added.
This comes as Kharge on Wednesday lashed out at the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging a conspiracy was being hatched across the country to cut the votes of millions of people.
While delivering his opening remarks at the meeting of the Extended Congress Working Committee here, Kharge questioned the Election Commission’s impartiality and transparency.
“The foundation of democracy is fair and transparent elections. However, serious questions are being raised today about the impartiality and transparency of the Election Commission itself. Revelations have surfaced in various states, and instead of answering those questions, the EC is demanding affidavits from us,” the Congress President said.
The Congress President also slammed the diplomatic “missteps” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Our international problems stem from the failures and diplomatic missteps of Narendra Modi and his government. The very friends whom the Prime Minister boasts about as ‘my friends’ are now plunging India into numerous crises,” he said.”This CWC meeting in Patna is extremely important. We are meeting at a time when India is facing a very challenging and worrying period, both at the international and national levels,” he said.
The Congress President also accused the Centre of rolling out the red carpet for Chinese imports. (ANI)