'Why Don't You Accept Your Failures?' Kharge Targets BJP Over Inflation, Unemployment In 'Black Paper'

Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of using horsetrading and the Enforcement Directorate to topple governments in states.

Presenting the Congress's 'Black Paper' against the BJP-led government, party president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack at the saffron party, asking it what steps had it taken to curb unemployment, inflation, and farmers' woes. Kharge also took a dig at PM Narendra Modi, saying: "You keep harping about BJP putting a person from the Scheduled Tribe community on the President's seat. But why can't you accept your failure to keep your promises of controlling inflation and generating employment."

Referring to the election of KR Narayanan as Vice-President and later President, Kharge said: "We [Congress] also elected people who were known globally for their achievements... There are emotional things. But employment must be generated for true social justice... We permanent jobs for people in the government."

The BJP never talks about unemployment. They just talk about the previous 10 years. " I was amused when the BJP spoke about public sector companies. They will never talk about the companies Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru started, such as HAL, BEL, BHEL. They won't talk about the employment and quality of jobs that the previous governments generated. Later, BJP claims it released funds but they are not being used. But the truth is BJP doesn't want people to be employed," Kharge said.

'BJP A Threat To Democracy'

Kharge further alleged the BJP of using horsetrading tactics and employing the Enforcement Directorate and CBI to topple Opposition governments in various states. "There is a danger to democracy in the country...In last 10 years, 411 MLAs were taken on their by the BJP. They toppled so many Congress governments. They are finishing democracy."

'States Discriminated Against'

Kharge said rural employment has taken a downturn as the Centre is not releasing funds for the projects implemented under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). "Every [Opposition-ruled] state is being discriminated against. States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, which have non-BJP governments, are being neglected.

'BJP Doesn't Control Inflation To Favour Its Friends'

Kharge alleged that the BJP-led Centre was deliberately not controlling price rise as it would help its 'industrialist friends'. He said the BJP should take steps to curb inflation instead of blaming Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajeev Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi. "There is a law to control the prices of essential commodities. But there are a few friends of BJP who greatly benefit from the imports due to the inflation here. Hence, the party doesn't control inflation." Kharge alleged that ships with essential commodities are stationed off shore to avoid paying taxes. "Only when prices rise, these vessels come to port with their cargo," he said.

Kharge further said that the government is trying to trap farmers. "They don't want to guarantee MSP either," said Kharge. 

'You Instigated Riots'

He hit out at PM Modi accusing him of spreading communal violence. "Tum kya kare? Tum to desh todne ki baat kiya. Dange karwaye [What did you do? You have always spoken about breaking the country. You instigated riots.]." Not specifying the 2002 riots, Kharge said: "You [PM Modi] instigated riots with your speeches... What did you do when you were the CM."

'Governors Are Nothing But Dictators'

He further attacked the government over the appointment of Governors in states. "The Governors are nothing short of dictators. Whenever BJP sends governors to Opposition-administrated states, it is to topple the governments. Wherever the BJP government is there, Governors cooperate. States where BJP is not there, files are returned or kept pending."