'Corruption, Nepotism & Policy Paralysis' Was UPA's Core Agenda: BJP Counters Rahul Gandhi’s GDP Barb

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Congress leader spoke about issues of which he did not have a clear knowledge.

Sambit Patra, National Spokesperson of BJP | File Image

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his outburst against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the country’s economic condition and alleged the former UPA regime followed “CNP - Corruption, Nepotism and Policy Paralysis” as their core agenda.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Congress leader spoke about issues of which he did not have a clear knowledge.

READ: Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Govt Over Inflation, Says 'Increase In GDP Means Increase In Gas, Diesel, Petrol Prices'

“He tried to redefine GDP in the wrong way. The UPA government followed CNP - Corruption, Nepotism and Policy Paralysis as their core agenda. They won't be able to understand the real meaning of GDP,” he added.

Patra also used the occasion to shower praises on Prime Minister Modi.

“Only yesterday we had historic news. For FY 2021-22, the Q1 growth rate of GDP was out and they were phenomenal, whooping 20.1%,” ANI quoted Patra as saying.

“This bounce-back in the pandemic region was possible only because of decisive leadership that PM Modi has contributed towards this government,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Congress leader questioned the government’s handling of the Indian economy.

"In the last 7 years, we have seen a new economic paradigm. Demonetisation on one side and monetisation on the other side,” he told a press conference.

Gandhi also took potshots at Prime Minister Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

“First Modi ji said that he is undertaking demonetisation and Finance Minister says that she is undertaking monetisation. The people are asking what is undergoing monetisation, and what is being subjected to demonetisation,” he said.

Gandhi also accused the government of troubling the common man.

“The farmers, labourers, small and medium businesses, MSMEs, salaried class, government employees and honest industrialists are being demonetised,” he said.

Alleging that only a few people are getting all benefits, Gandhi said: “Who is being monetised? Four to five friends of Narendra Modi ji - economic transfer is being done.”

Cornering the government over inflation, the Congress leader said: “Modi ji keeps saying that GDP is rising, the Finance Minister says that GDP is showing an upward projection. I then understood what does it mean by GDP. It means 'Gas-Diesel-Petrol'. They have this confusion.”

Gandhi also pointed out the rates of LPG cylinder, diesel and petrol during the Congress regime in 2014.

“When the UPA left in 2014, LPG cylinder was priced at Rs 410/cylinder. Today, it costs Rs 885/cylinder - a rise of 116 per cent. Petrol was Rs 71.5/litre in 2014, today it's Rs 101/litre - a rise of 42 per cent. Diesel was priced at Rs 57/litre in 2014, it's Rs 88/litre today,” he noted.