Why is Modi government concerned about opposition alliance more than fuel prices, asks Congress
New Delhi, Sep 10 : Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the rise in fuel prices and fall in the value of rupee as it asked why it was bothered about "grand alliance" of the opposition parties more than anything else.
Terming the Modi government's excuse of rising fuel prices, which was attributed to rise in crude oil prices in international market, as "lies", the party alleged Modi was not running a government but ‘a profiteering company' to fleece the people.
"The national executive of the BJP discussed if the grand alliance of the opposition will last. Why are they so concerned about it? At the national executive usually discussions happen on various issues such as economy, inflation, law and order and problems of the people," said Congress General Secretary Ashok Gehlot.
"They are not concerned about these issues. They are silent on fuel prices, on the atmosphere of fear, hatred and violence in the country. They are thinking about the opposition in the national executive," he added.
He also said democracy was at stake in the country and this was the reason for the government's silence.
The party said 'Bharat Bandh' was a resounding success with people's support. "We thank the people of India for their enthusiastic, peaceful and voluntary participation. We also thank the 21 political parties, who joined the call of Bharat Bandh," said Gehlot.
"What was the reason that Rajasthan government had to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel and petrol prices by four per cent?" he asked.
Calling the hike in prices of petroleum products a "momentary difficulty" due to the international crisis, the BJP on Monday slammed the Congress and other opposition parties for the incidents of violence during the Bharat Bandh.
"Since May 2014, Modi government has increased ‘Central Excise Duty' 12 times - raising the Central Excise on Petrol by 211 per cent and on Diesel by 443 per cent. Customs duty has been increased manifold. This has led to a Rs 11 lakh crore ‘fuel loot'said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
"Why doesn't Modi government roll back the excise and custom duty to give relief of Rs 10-15 per litre?" said the Congress spokesperson.
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People must do politics; elected representatives must work, says Actor Prakash Raj
Kalaburagi: Actor and activist Prakash Raj has said that in a democracy, politics must be done by the people, while elected representatives are meant to work and serve after winning elections.
Speaking at the launch of Vartha Bharati's Kalyana Karnataka edition in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Prakash Raj said that once representatives are elected, their only responsibility is service. “This is our tax, our country. Service is the only job of people’s representatives. They come to seek votes every five years; the people do not,” he said.
Releasing the newspaper’s special issue at the event, he asserted that the distinction between people and politicians must never be reversed. “This is our country. Citizens must continuously engage in politics, and politicians must continuously work. Never change this order. Politics belongs to the people,” he said.
ALSO READ: Kalaburagi: ‘Vartha Bharati’ Kalyana Karnataka edition launched
Quoting writer P. Lankesh, Prakash Raj said newspapers, media, artists, and citizens must act as a permanent opposition. “They must be the voice of the people without seeking the patronage of the ruling party. Only then can they work fearlessly,” he said. He stressed the need to clearly tell today’s society who must engage in politics.
Referring to regional imbalance, he said Karnataka has become Bengaluru-centric and confined largely to southern Karnataka. With Vartha Bharati entering the Kalyana Karnataka region, he said the newspaper must contribute to the region’s development by consistently reporting its issues with a strong voice.
Prakash Raj also spoke about the role of independent media, saying that anyone can be swept away in a flood, including dead fish, but to swim against the current requires life. “Independent media have that life. Ravish Kumar, The Wire, and Vartha Bharati have the courage to swim against the flood,” he said.
He warned that fear strengthens authoritarianism. “If we are not afraid, they will be afraid,” he said, alleging that institutions such as the police, Election Commission, courts, and media are being pressured, silenced, and manipulated for political benefit. Expressing concern over the denial of bail to Umar Khalid, he said there is a visible lack of conscience in institutions meant to deliver justice to the people.
Recalling the early years after Independence, Prakash Raj said there was once fear of the police but also faith in the judiciary. “There was confidence that injustice would be addressed in court. Today, that faith no longer exists,” he said. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are responsible for the present situation.
Using a metaphor, he said India is like a pond disturbed by a demon within it. “A lotus blooms on the surface, that is the BJP. We are fighting the lotus, but the real fight should be against the RSS, the root power beneath,” he said.
Drawing parallels with past global authoritarian regimes, he said leaders like Hitler and Mussolini headed political parties and could be defeated electorally. “The RSS is not a political party. Defeating the BJP alone is not enough. The roots must be uprooted,” he said, adding that despite changes in appearance, the ideological growth remains unchanged.
Prakash Raj also raised concerns over Hindi imposition, delimitation, and what he described as political oppression of southern states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh in the name of elections. He said people must recognise who is responsible for this oppression and understand the role of newspapers like Vartha Bharati in identifying and exposing it.
The event also marked the formal launch of Vartha Bharati's Kalyana Karnataka edition in Kalaburagi.
