Like British, Modi govt looted country's water, forest and land in 10 years: Kharge
Deoghar (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of looting the country's water, forest and land in the past 10 years as had been done by the British.
Kharge also alleged that the saffron party has been dividing the country along religious lines while, he claimed, Congress always united Hindus and Muslims.
“Like the British, the Modi government looted 'Jal, Jungle, Jameen' (water, forest and land) of the country in 10 years. PM Modi handed over the country's assets to his billionaire friends. We faced the British and we are not afraid of the BJP," Kharge said while addressing a rally in Jharkhand’s Deoghar.
He claimed that the previous UPA governments had enacted laws to protect water, land and forest but the Modi government changed rules and systematically weakened the legislation.
"The Congress unites Hindus and Muslims, while Modi divides Hindus and Muslims," he claimed.
The Congress leader urged the people to save the Constitution by showing the exit door to the saffron party’s government at the Centre.
He said that if voted to power, the Congress would implement a separate Sarna religious code for tribals.
Referring to former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Kharge said, "Modi sent a tribal CM behind bars before polls. Jharkhand people will avenge this injustice."
The Congress will undertake a caste survey to deliver justice to people, he said and added that Congress will fill up 30 lakh vacant government posts after August 15 if voted to power.
He alleged that Modi under a design sent the only tribal CM in the country behind bars before elections but the people of Jharkhand will avenge this injustice meted out to them.
"You (PM) reside in a palace, tribals reside in jungles, they are not afraid of you and will not bow down," he said.
Kharge also alleged that PM Modi insulted tribals and Dalits by not inviting President Droupadi Murmu to the Ram Temple consecration and former President Ram Nath Kovind to the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Parliament building.
He criticised the Agnipath scheme of the Modi government, saying that those who get jobs in defence forces through it would not get benefits given to servicemen now.
The Congress leader alleged that the BJP government was misusing central agencies like ED and CBI and was harassing opposition governments and leaders in the country.
"Modi-Shah are harassing us. We will defeat Modi and form an INDIA bloc government at the Centre," he added.
He claimed that it is an election to save democracy and the Constitution.
Kharge was campaigning for Pradeep Yadav of Congress who is contesting from Godda Lok Sabha seat which is going to polls on June 1.
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Rupee falls 32 paise to all-time low of 95.20 against US dollar
Mumbai, Apr 30 (PTI): The rupee depreciated 32 paise to an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, weighed down by elevated Brent crude oil prices, hovering around USD 122 per barrel, and strong American currency.
Forex traders said the USD/INR pair may see further downside, as rising crude oil prices are likely to sharply impact India's import costs, while concerns over potential wider conflict in West Asia are fuelling investor anxiety.
Meanwhile, the US dollar added to gains after the US FED Reserve kept rates unchanged. Safe-haven demand was also boosted by another diplomatic setback between Washington and Tehran.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.01 against the US dollar, then lost some ground and touched an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in initial trade, registering a fall of 32 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee depreciated 20 paise to close at an all-time low of 94.88 against the US dollar.
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"The main effect on the rupee has been from the rising oil prices, which touched USD 120 per barrel and looked headed for further upside as the US continues with its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran does not allow any ship/tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.01 per cent higher at 98.96.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 3.16 per cent at USD 121.76 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex tumbled 821.79 points to 76,674.57 in early trade, while the Nifty dived 287.3 points to 23,890.35.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 2,468.42 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue with their sale of Indian Equities and debt (the yield touched 7 per cent on Wednesday) and are also dollar buyers consistently," Bhansali added.
