Congress questions government on country’s economic health, national security

The Congress on May 26 had said it would hold press conferences, titled 'Nau Saal, Nau Sawaal' (nine years, nine questions), in 35 cities over the next few days to highlight the "failures" of the Central government in the last nine years.

Congress Party leader Ajay Maken along with Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Bora, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia and senior Congress leader Rakibul Hussain releasing a document titled ‘9 saal 9 sawaal’ during a press conference, in Guwahati, on May 27. | Photo Credit: ANI

Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on May 27 accused the Narendra Modi government of “compromising” on national security, using “politics of hatred” for electoral gains, and “weakening” constitutional values and democratic institutions.

The Congress on May 26 had said it would hold press conferences, titled 'Nau Saal, Nau Sawaal' (nine years, nine questions), in 35 cities over the next few days to highlight the "failures" of the Central government in the last nine years.

Accusing PM Modi of not addressing important issues, the grand old party asserted that it will continue to play the role of a responsible Opposition and hold the government accountable for its actions.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Mr. Maken said, “As the Modi government completes nine years in power, the Congress has nine questions and we want to know their response.”

“We know that they don’t want to address serious issues such as unemployment, price rise and will rather try to divert attention to frivolous matters.” With inflation and unemployment featured in the nine questions, the Congress asked “Why is public property being sold to Modi’s friends even as economic disparities are increasing?”

The Congress alleged that “rampant corruption” was prevailing in BJP-ruled States, the saffron party was “practising politics of revenge” against Opposition parties and “weakening” Constitutional values and democratic institutions.

The Congress also accused the BJP-led Central government of “compromising” on national security and “leaving” Indian territory to China. The party claimed that the government failed to keep the assurances made to farmers, especially those regarding doubling their income.

The Congress maintained that the ruling dispensation is “deliberately using politics of hatred for electoral gains”, “methodically destroying foundations of social justice”, reducing budgets of welfare schemes and enacting "restrictive rules" against the poor and tribals.

The Congress also accused the government of “mismanagement” during the COVID-19 pandemic and failing to compensate families who lost their near and dear ones to coronavirus. Mr. Maken also pointed out that the Prime Minister has failed to address a single press conference in the last nine years.

“We are not hopeful that he will answer these nine questions we have raised. But as a responsible Opposition, it is our duty to raise the questions and tell the people the issues on which the government needs to come forth with their response,” the All India Congress Committee general secretary added.