State of the economy, Rahul Gandhi fires fresh salvo

New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday described demonetisation and GST as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “double tap” fired to kill the economy and hit out at finance minister Arun Jaitley for his failure to offer an antidote to counter the gloom that has led to joblessness which, he claimed, is a “Modi-made disaster”.

Speaking at the PHD Chamber of Commerce, the Gandhi scion accused Mr Modi and his government of “killing” the economy by firing the “double tap” of demonetisation and GST into its heart.

He said that GST has unleashed “tsunami of tax terrorism” and Mr Jaitley “has the nerve to say things are just fine”.

The rising unemployment in India is a “MMD Modi-made disaster” and after 3 years of the NDA government, India’s expectations are shattered, said Mr Gandhi.

Hitting back, the BJP took a jibe at Mr Gandhi saying that “Congress vice-president and rhetoric “make a good combination”. The saffron party also accused the Congress of attempting to desperately spread doom, hoping that it will shore up its prospects.

Gandhi also attacked the government on social media, targeting the finance minister by tweeting a comic verse, “Aap kehtey hai aap kissi sey kum nahi, magar aapki dava mein dum nahi (You claim you are no less than the others, but your medicines have no strength).”

Gandhi’s tweet came a day after Jaitley retorted to his barb on the new tax regime, which the Congress leader had likened to a Bollywood villain. Highlighting the problems of small and medium sector, Gandhi said, “First notebandi! Bang! and then GST! Bang! Crippled our economy.” 

“The way this regime is working, or not working, has led to a ‘double tap’ killing of the Indian economy,” he added. Commandos in a hostage situation fire what is called a ‘double tap’ two quick shots fired in the chest to ensure their devil’s target is down. 

Gandhi said, “As we all know, GDP growth has been slowing. Private investment has collapsed. Agriculture growth is at its lowest ebb. Exports have been declining. In 2014, India’s GDP was growing at 6.6% but today according to the old method of measurement, it rests at 4.2%.”

Gandhi has been raising the issue of unemployment at several platforms. He also talked about it during his visit to the US. 

The Congress has made unemployment and mismanagement of the economy a major poll plank in the upcoming Assembly elections of Himachal and Gujarat. The Congress, and several Opposition parties, is observing the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8 as ‘Black Day’. 

The Congress vice-president’s attacks on the PM on Thursday left the BJP fuming.