Kharge criticizes Modi government over economic policies
New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp critique of the BJP-led central government on Thursday, accusing it of creating widespread "economic turmoil" that has deeply impacted the lives of ordinary citizens.
In a post on X, Kharge alleged that the Modi government has no solution to the economic challenges it has created, citing seven key indicators to illustrate what he described as a "mess" in the economy.
Highlighting a significant rise in gold loans and non-performing assets (NPAs) by 50% and 30% respectively, Kharge claimed that these are signs of growing financial distress among households. He also noted that private consumption has slowed over the last eight quarters and remains below pre-COVID levels.
Car sales growth, according to Kharge, has plunged to a four-year low, while wage growth in critical sectors like engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure has stagnated, growing at a meager compound annual rate of 0.8% over the past five years.
He further criticized the government for an average food inflation rate of 7.1% over the last eight quarters, indirect taxation on essential items through GST, and declining household savings, now at their lowest level in 50 years. Increasing household financial liabilities, which have reached 6.4% of GDP, were also highlighted as a pressing concern.
Kharge underscored the rupee's all-time low, which he said has led to foreign fund outflows and losses for small investors, exacerbating financial challenges.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, Kharge remarked, "Narendra Modi ji, your annual 'New Year Resolutions' have been nothing short of JUMLAS, destroying the lives of EVERY CITIZEN!"
Modi Govt has NO solution for the Economic Turmoil it has created!
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 2, 2025
7 indicators that illustrate the extent of mess in the lives of ordinary Indians.
1⃣50% increase in Gold Loans and 30% jump in gold loan NPAs.
2⃣Private consumption - the total value of goods and services… pic.twitter.com/zhGxIQo7bJ
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If Bumrah is not fit then a score of around 200 also might not be enough: Gavaskar
Sydney, Jan 4: Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels India will struggle to defend even 200 in case premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unable to bowl at full throttle on the third day of the fifth and final Test against Australia here on Sunday.
Bumrah had left the field for scans during the second day's post-lunch session after bowling just one over, having experienced some discomfort. However, he returned to the dressing room after undergoing precautionary scans for an unspecified niggle.
India pacer Prasidh Krishna said his skipper had suffered back spasm.
The medical team was monitoring him as India ended the day 145 runs in front with four second innings wickets left on a SCG track which is aiding the bowlers.
"Look, if India scores 40 more runs or they put 185 on the board then they have a great chance but it all depends on Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. If Jasprit Bumrah is fit then 145-150 might be enough. But if Bumrah is not fit then a score of around 200 also might not be enough," said Gavaskar on Star Sports on Saturday.
Gavaskar also said maintaining secrecy around Bumrah's status is not going to help the Australians, who have so far struggled to counter the threat posed by the Indian pace spearhead.
"One thing that I liked was when he came back after the scan, obviously it took a lot of time because the hospital is a bit far, but he looked in good shape and his body language was such that there was no indication of the Australian team and it is very important to maintain the secrecy.
"Because, tactically you do not want to announce whether Bumrah will be available for bowling or not, and even if he is not available and this news goes across the opposition dressing room because till now Australian batsmen haven't found out a way to counter him, they don’t know whether they should attack, defend, or whether they should play on front-foot.
"So to execute this plan it is important to maintain secrecy, so Bumrah and the Indian team management managed it quite well," Gavaskar said.
The pacer has already taken 32 wickets in the series, and had figures of 2/33 in 10 overs before leaving the field, having removed Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session and Usman Khawaja on the last ball of the first evening.
