New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the April-June quarter and demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi apologise for calling the Indian economy “dead” and spreading falsehood that a big economic tsunami was on its way.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s financial management and contributions of the Indian industry, businessmen and workers for the achievement.
He slammed the Congress for its criticism of the Modi government’s economic policies, saying, “We have brought the Indian economy from the fragile five in 2013 to 7.8 per cent GDP growth.”
Crediting Prime Minister Modi’s vision and leadership, Prasad hit out at Gandhi, alleging that he tried to tarnish India’s image with his baseless remarks about the Indian economy.
“Rahul Gandhi has shared a wealth of insights over the past three or four months: ‘Indian economy is a dead economy, a big economic tsunami is coming’. Now, a growth rate of 7.8 per cent is there in front of you. Do you have some shame?” the BJP MP asked the Congress leader.
“The BJP condemns outright the irresponsible, false, baseless and mischievous contention of Gandhi that the Indian economy is a dead economy and a big economic tsunami is going to come,” Prasad said
This has happened despite war and the Gulf crisis. This happens when there is stable leadership in the country like Narendra Modi who can turn challenges into opportunity. This happens when the entire country stands together with Modi’s leadership, the BJP leader said
Prasad said that though Gandhi is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, he is bereft of any understanding of economic management and economic development.
“The BJP demands that Gandhi must apologise for condemning the Indian economy based on falsehood and baseless allegations that it is a dead economy and a big economic tsunami is coming,” he added.
“Rahul Gandhi doesn’t do his homework. He relies on cheat-speak. He simply reads out whatever has been written for him,” the BJP leader said, and asked, “Has Rahul Gandhi taken a contract to compromise and weaken the morale of the people of India?”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the GDP growth a “herculean feat”, calling it particularly impressive, coming against the backdrop of global turmoil, geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions.
In a video message on Instagram, the prime minister also slammed those spreading “jhooth ki goonj”, an apparent riff on Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ campaign where he has been critical of the Modi government’s performance, saying the latest GDP growth rate tore through the narrative of “pessimism” about the Indian economy.
Modi said India must maintain the growth momentum and continue working towards greater self-reliance.
