Congress targets Modi over border killings, fitness challenge
New Delhi, June 13: As four BSF troopers died on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress on Wednesday termed the government "weak and cowardly" and slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for posting a fitness challenge on Twitter the same day.
"I would hold Modi government's weak policy on national security responsible for this. It has been proved that Modi government is weak and cowardly," Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told reporters, adding: "I don't know why PM becomes weak in front of Pakistan. This is a matter of concern."
"It is very unfortunate that when soldiers are dying on the border, Prime Minister is busy giving himself fitness certificate. This is an insult to those jawans. He should have expressed his condolences, instead he has insulted them by doing so," he added.
In a tweet Modi had said: "I am delighted to nominate the following for the #FitnessChallenge: Karnataka's CM Shri @hd_kumaraswamy. India's pride and among the highest medal winners for India in the 2018 CWG, @manikabatra_TT."
"I appeal to every Indian to devote some part of the day towards fitness. Practice any set of exercises you are comfortable with and you will see the positive difference it will make in your life! #FitnessChallenge #HumFitTohIndiaFit," he also said.
Four Border Security Force (BSF) troopers were killed and five injured on Wednesday in an unprovoked Pakistan ceasefire violation on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.
Condoling their death, the Congress party demanded that the government provide all benefits to the families that a soldier deserves.
Tiwari said killing of soldiers on the borders had increased over the years. "In 2014, three soldiers had died; in 2015, 10 died; in 2016, 13 soldiers died; 18 soldiers died in 2017; and in 2018, till June 27 jawans have died."
"We have lost 71 jawans and more than 100 civilians. Modi is good at giving speeches but not at delivering things. This is a very sad, unfortunate incident," said Tiwari.
The leader also reminded Modi of his "56-inch chest", his promise of "10 heads in response to one" and also his "threat of not letting anyone see eye-to-eye on the borders".
He also slammed the Modi government over inflation saying it was the highest in the past four months, which is now 4.87 per cent.
"Inflation is the direct contribution of Modi government. International crude oil price has reduced to around $70 per barrel, but the petrol and diesel prices have increased, owing to which transportation cost also went up and it led to price rise. Only Modi government is responsible for this," said Tiwari.
He also said: "Around Rs 32,361 crore bank fraud has come to the fore, What happened to his slogan 'Na khaunga, na khane dunga?'"
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Criticism of PM Modi, repeated mentions of guarantees to be highlights of K’taka Budget: LoP Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Thursday took a dig at CM Siddaramaiah ahead of the state Budget presentation, claiming that the government is expected to borrow Rs 1.15 lakh crore and is likely to impose fresh taxes on the people.
He said the Budget would have nothing new, adding that its highlights would be criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and repeated mentions of the five guarantee schemes ('Shakti', 'Gruha Lakshmi', 'Gruha Jyoti, 'Yuva Nidhi' and 'Anna Bhagya').
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, is scheduled to present the 2026–27 Budget on March 6. This will be his record 17th budget.
“Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s budget will be presented tomorrow. While Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reduced the tax burden in the Union Budget, Siddaramaiah is known for imposing taxes on people. He imposes about four taxes a month and has already introduced 36 taxes, and is now looking for ways to impose more,” Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the Congress had promised people before coming to power that the guarantee schemes would be implemented without imposing any burden on them.
“By the end of the chief minister’s term, the state’s total debt will probably exceed Rs 6 lakh crore. The government has already breached financial discipline. Siddaramaiah and his government are somehow managing the situation,” Ashoka claimed, adding that his borrowings as CM equal those of 12 or 13 former chief ministers combined.
Stating that the Budget should create higher revenue sources, ensure that no burden is placed on people, and take the state away from debt, the opposition leader said this could be ensured only by a “clever and intelligent finance minister.”
“Anyone can run a government by pushing the state into debt,” he said, accusing Siddaramaiah of “increasing the state’s debt and failing to meet the expectations of the people.”
Highlighting that Siddaramaiah blames the previous BJP government for everything, Ashoka said Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister during the previous BJP government, had presented a “surplus budget,” without excessive borrowings.
“Despite having the opportunity to borrow more while staying within the parameters of financial discipline, he (Bommai) did not do so, as it would burden the people,” he said, accusing Siddaramaiah of borrowing crores of rupees every year.
“I feel that this time too, he will take a loan of Rs 1.15 lakh crore,” he claimed.
The BJP leader said he had written to the CM requesting an allocation of Rs 15,000 crore annually for the development of backward taluks, as recommended by the High Power Committee on Redressal of Regional Imbalance (HPCRRI), chaired by economist Prof M Govinda Rao.
Claiming that the government appears “inactive” due to internal rifts, Ashoka pointed to an ongoing power struggle between factions led by Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over the CM’s post.
“Amid all this, we cannot expect anything new from this Budget. The CM will repeatedly speak about the guarantee schemes and target the central government and PM Modi. Criticising Modi and repeated mentions of the five guarantee schemes will be the highlight of this Budget. Other than that, there will be nothing new,” he added.
He also dismissed the CM's claim that the government had achieved 90 per cent of the promises made in the previous Budget. “The fact is that not even 9 per cent has been achieved. I have evidence for it,” he said.
Ashoka further alleged that the government had also failed in tax collection, achieving only 48 per cent of the target, and had released less than 40 per cent of the allocated funds to some departments.
