A “lack of direction” to fix the economic slowdown marked the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted today, adding that the government had the media in a “stranglehold” to drown out criticism of its functioning.
The government completed 100 days today, and over the next two days, the ministers are expected to present their report cards. PM Modi started the process at an election rally in Rohtak, talking of his government’s achievements that combined “development” with “key changes”.
Mr Gandhi’s party, however, described the first 100 days of the Modi government in three words — “Tyranny, chaos and anarchy”.
“Congratulations to the Modi Govt on #100DaysNoVikas, the continued subversion of democracy, a firmer stranglehold on a submissive media to drown out criticism and a glaring lack of leadership, direction and plans where it’s needed the most – to turnaround our ravaged economy,” Mr Gandhi’s tweet read.
Besides a series of tweets that claimed the 100 days have witnessed a slump in economy, increase in mob attacks and political vendetta, the opposition party also fielded senior leader Kapil Sibal to take on the Modi government.
“Eight sectors have recorded a growth rate below 2 per cent and our Finance Minister still refuses to accept that our economy is in free fall. If the BJP continues this path of negligence and deceit, we are headed towards recession,” it tweeted.
“The automobile sector is facing its worst-ever crisis in years and all the government has to say our economy is doing better than US and China,” the party added.
Congress leader Kapil Sibal accused the government of trying to muzzle the opposition leaders. “The agencies apply the law selectively to opposition leaders while those belonging to the BJP are given an easy escape route,” he said.
The Congress also claimed that the BJP treats “parliament like a notice board” as bills are not debated or discussed but presented just to complete a formality.
“39 new bills were introduced out of which 28 were passed in the budget session of parliament. However, none was sent for scrutiny to either the Standing Committee or Select Committee,” Kapil Sibal said.
While launching the party’s election campaign in Rohtak today, PM Modi had mentioned the passing of key bills including criminalising Triple Talaq and the health sector laws as one of the achievements of the government. He had also thanked the opposition parties for making it possible.
