Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, addressing the audience at the 112th annual session of PhD Chambers, on Thursday, 26 October, took potshots at the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. However, he also "admitted to shortcomings" in the UPA II government.
I am admitting that there were shortcomings in our government towards its closing days. Our govt in the future will be much more centralised.Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice president
Gandhi spoke on various issues, including Congress' role in the implementation of the GST, the Aadhaar structure envisioned by the UPA regime, demonetisation, and 'rampant' demonetisation.
He also spoke about how India was being questioned, on a global stage, about its "core values.”
Globally, India is being asked again and again if it still believes in its values of compassion and non-violence.
Gandhi said that the trust in the government was "dead". He alleged that the Prime Minister considered everyone a "thief". Attacking the government for implementing the GST and note ban, Gandhi said:
Modi ji and his government have fired a double tap at the heart of our economy. Notebandi and then GST have crippled our economy. The GST, as this government has formulated, has already unleashed a tsunami of tax terrorism and it is only going to get worse.
He said that the the small and medium businesses in the country "should also be heard in the corridors of power,” and added that the Prime Minister had a “big chest but a small heart.”
Gandhi alleged that while Congress tried to "explain BJP's mistake" before the implementation, that they were told to "mind their business.”
On a lighter note, responding to boxer Vijender Singh’s question on the Congress’ plan to develop sports in the country, Gandhi said, “I exercise, run, swim and also hold a black belt in Aikido, but I never speak of these in public. Sports is important in my life.”
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