Modi government pushed India into debt, not Congress: Minister Santosh Lad
Mangaluru: Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government, accusing it of pushing India into massive debt during the last decade.
Addressing Congress workers at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatte, Mangaluru, Lad said, “Till 2014, India’s total debt stood at ₹53 lakh crore. But in the ten years since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the country’s debt has risen to ₹185 lakh crore. The Modi government is responsible for bankrupting the nation, not us.”
Criticising the BJP’s election campaign style, Lad alleged that the party never speaks about development or governance, instead focusing on Pakistan, Muslims, and Afghanistan to divert public attention.
He further said, “Rahul Gandhi has held more than a thousand press conferences so far. When leaders from other countries visit abroad, they always face the press. But Prime Minister Modi has not held even one press conference in a month during his entire tenure.”
Lad also accused the BJP government of using public money for electoral gains, alleging that funds meant for Bihar’s development were being deposited into women’s bank accounts ahead of the elections.
Speaking about Congress’s future, the minister stressed the need to promote young leaders who believe in the ideals of Basavanna, Buddha, Ambedkar, and the Congress philosophy. “We must identify and promote such youths. Those who can speak boldly from the stage should be brought to the forefront,” he said.
Highlighting labour welfare initiatives in Karnataka, Lad said around 40 lakh unorganised workers in sectors like private trade and transport have been brought under the Karnataka Motor Transport and Other Allied Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Act. He said the state government has also formed a Social Security and Welfare Board to implement social protection schemes for workers.
Congress leaders Suresh Ballal, Padmaraj Poojary, Sadashiva Ullal, T.M. Shaheed, M.A. Gafoor, Lavanya Ballal, Mamata Gatti, and Anil Tadkal were present at the event.
Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president K. Harish Kumar welcomed the gathering, while former Mayor Shashidhar Hegde proposed the vote of thanks.
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Abhigyan Kundu hits 209 not out for first-ever double ton in Youth ODIs for India
Dubai (PTI): Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu on Tuesday created history with first-ever double ton in Youth ODIs for India, scoring an unbeaten against Malaysia in the U-19 Asia Cup match here.
The 17-year-old Kundu thus recorded only the second instance of a double century in Youth ODIs after South Africa's Jorich Van Schalkwyk, who had scored 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year in Harare.
Batting at No 5, the left-handed Kundu hit an overall 19 fours and seven sixes to smash 209 not out off only 125 balls.
His knock powered India U-19 to a huge 408 for seven batting first.
Earlier in the same tournament, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had scored a 95-ball 171 against the UAE, which is overall the ninth highest individual score in the format.
