Congress targets Centre over economy, slams Anurag Thakur's statement

"What else can we expect from BJP," said Congress while slamming the Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur after he was seen promoting "Goli Maaro", against the Shaheen Bagh protestors, during an election rally. Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh while speaking to ETV Bharat targetted BJP over the economy, says the country's debt has increased by 71 pc in 5.5 years.

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the BJP-led government over its management of the economy, saying that the total debt of the country per capita debt increased by Rs 27,200 in the last 5.5 years.

Targeting Union Minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur for his "shoot the traitors" (goli maaro) remark, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said that "What else can we expect from BJP".

The remark was made on Monday by MoS Finance Anurag Thakur raised slogans of 'Desh Ke Gaddaro Ko, Goli Maaro Saalo Ko' during an election rally in Delhi, Congress leader Vallabh on Tuesday said that such slogans are a clear violation of several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He also claimed that the "BJP started these slogans".

While speaking to ETV Bharat, Vallabh said, "What else can we expect anything better than this from BJP? They are trained in these things. Can he speak anything about economy, about the food inflation which is 14.2 per cent, why 45 years worst unemployment rate, why in the last 47 years first time the rural consumer spending went down, about 12 years lowest manufacturing growth or even on 6 years lowerest GDP and construction activity? But he (Anurag Thakur) has no answer on all these things."

He further added, " The youth is watching all these political activities and they will take their revenge by casting their votes to a positive development-oriented politics."

In addition to the statements on anti-CAA protests, BJP MP Parvesh Sharma claimed that the ongoing protest at Shaheen Bagh will come to an end within an hour if BJP forms the government in Delhi.

Replying to Sharma's anti-CAA statement, Vallabh said, "Who controls Delhi Police? Is it Delhi Government or the Government of India? If this is a situation of law and order then they should take immediate action but actually, they are just playing with their tested Hindu-Muslim card. But, the people of our country are more concerned about the development, about jobs, women's security. Neither Aam Aadmi Party nor BJP has any answer to those questions."

Questioning BJP and AAP government about the development in the capital nation, he said "Can you tell me if one of the flyovers got constructed in the last 5 years. Any universities, hospitals got constructed in the last 5.5 years?

"The only remedy for pollution is to close the schools. This is not the way the government works", he added.

"In Delhi elections, our agenda is to resolve unemployment, improve consumer spending, women empowerment and more. And without an economy, these things are not possible."

The Congress in the press conference on Tuesday questioned BJP about the economy and the BJP leaders derogatory statements.

Taking a jibe at BJP, Vallabh said, "The BJP instead of focusing on the management of the economy is making such statements as they are facing a debt of Rs. 6 lakh crore. And their target to achieve the fiscal deficit of 3.5 to 4 is not possible and BJP doesn't want people to question i.e they make such remarks to divert people's minds."

A delegation of Congress leaders will also approach the Election Commission of India, on Tuesday, to file a complaint against the statements given by BJP leaders ahead of Delhi Assembly Elections, claiming that it is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.