Everyone Except PM, FM Knows India Is a Dead Economy: Rahul

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday stepped up the attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over US President Donald Trump's criticism of the Indian economy and claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. While Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said everybody except the PM and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman knows that India is a “dead economy”, LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge hurled "maun vrat" jibe at Mr Modi.

Echoing the US President's criticism of the Indian economy, Mr Gandhi said, “Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad Mr Trump has stated a fact. Everyone knows this except the Prime Minister and the finance minister. Is there any confusion? The world knows this...”

Alleging that the BJP-led government has destroyed India's economic, defence and foreign policies, Mr Gandhi said, "They are running this country into the ground. The Prime Minister works only for one person—Adani. All small businesses have been wiped out."

Referring to the India-US trade deal that is under negotiation, Mr Gandhi said this deal will happen and Mr Trump will define how this deal will happen. "Mr Modi will do what Trump tells him to do," the former Congress president said.

Later, in a post on X, Mr Gandhi said, "THE INDIAN ECONOMY IS DEAD. Modi killed it. 1. Adani-Modi partnership. 2. Demonetisation and a flawed GST 3. Failed 'Assemble in India' 4. MSMEs wiped out. 5. Farmers crushed."

The former Congress president alleged that Mr Modi has destroyed the future of India's youth because there are no jobs.

The BJP flayed Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for "echoing" the US President's "dead economy" jibe at India, calling it a "shameful" insult to the aspirations, achievements and well-being of the people of the country. It asked the Congress leader why he "repeats" foreign propaganda that undermines the country.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said in a post on X: "Rahul Gandhi has hit a new low by echoing 'dead economy' jibe -- a shameful insult to the aspirations, achievements, and well-being of the Indian people." “But let's be honest -- the only thing truly 'dead' here is Rahul Gandhi's own political credibility and legacy," he added.

Citing data showing growth in various sectors, the BJP leader said, "This is not a dead economy. This is a surging, resilient India."

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Mr Kharge said the PM had observed a "maun vrat" in Parliament on the US President's claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He asked whether he will remain silent on the baseless allegations made by the American leader on India.

Speaking on the issue of the US announcing 25 per cent tariffs on India, the Congress president said that this will affect the country's trade, MSMEs and farmers. "This is how your friend ‘Namaste Trump’ and ‘Abki Baar Trump Sarkar’ rewarded our country for your friendship?" he jibed.

"Mr Trump has imposed a 25% tariff plus penalty on us. This will harm the country's trade, MSMEs and farmers will also be adversely affected. Many industries will suffer huge losses. Your ministers have been talking about negotiating a trade deal with the US for months. Some even camped in Washington for several days," Mr Kharge added.

Highlighting the reasons given by Mt Trump for imposing tariffs, the Congress chief argued that it was a severe blow to India's national policy of "strategic autonomy," emphasising the importance of the non-aligned movement (NAM).

Mr Kharge said that the US President has cited India's oil import from Russia, India's purchase of weapons from Russia, India's Brics membership and Brics' attack on the US dollar as the reason for the tariff.

"This is a severe blow to India's national policy of strategic autonomy. History is witness that non-alignment has been a very important policy for us. All governments, irrespective of the party, have strengthened friendship with the countries of the world in the interest of the country," Mr Kharge said.