Wayanad: In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the country was in “trouble” as the “imaginary world” the Prime Minister had created was falling apart.
Gandhi did not spare Home minister Amit Shah and Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman either and took potshots at them during his hectic tour of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which he represents.
He lashed out at Sitharaman, saying she was “incompetent”, not aware of what was happening around her and had the “arrogance” to say she does not eat onions or garlic.
The congress leader, who is on a three-day visit to Wayanad, said his party will oppose the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill aimed at providing citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
His statement comes as the bill, which has created strong resentment in the Northeastern states, is set to be tabled in Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were “living in their own imagination” and have no contacts with the outside world, Gandhi said in Kozhikode as he embarked on his tour of Wayanad, addressing a series of his party-led United Democratic Front (UDF) meetings and opened a science block of a local school here.
Replying to a query on the government’s claim that there was no financial crisis in the country, Gandhi said: “Mr Amit Shah and Mr Narendra Modi live in their own imagination.They have no contact with the outside world.
They live in their own world and they fantasise about things. That is why the country is in such trouble,” Gandhi told reporters.
Taking a jibe at Sitharaman, Gandhi said no one was asking what she ate, but people wanted to know why the economy was struggling.
On Wednesday when asked by an MP if she ate onions, the prices of which had skyrocketed throughout the country, Sitharaman had said “I belong to a family which does not eat onion and garlic.”
“Nobody is asking you whether you eat onions.You are the FM and we are asking why the economy is struggling.
Even if you ask the poorest person you will get a sensible response,” Gandhi said at a leadership meet of the Congress here.
Gandhi also said he hoped that the centre will take action on the Nanjangud-Wayanad-Nilambur railway line project, which he had raised in Parliament.
Wayanad is also facing problems relating to night travel ban through the Bandipur tiger reserve, he said.
“These have to be tackled sensitively and I am confident that we will be able to resolve the issue,” he said.
The Congress leader also made it clear that he would not be cowed down by the string of cases being registered against him by the BJP and considers them as “medals.”
“There are 15 to 16 cases against me. When you look at a soldier, he will have lots of medals on his chest.
Every single case is a medal for me, Gandhi said at a UDF convention at Vanyambalam here.
“The more they are, the happier I am,” he said.
Gandhi also mentioned the tragic death of a 10-year-old girl student following snake bite inside her class at a school in Sulthan Bathery recently and said he would visit her parents on Friday.
He also wanted the state and central governments to provide support and infrastructure to schools in Kerala which lacked basic facilities.
Speaking at the UDF’s Thiruvambadi convention, Gandhi hit out at Sitharaman, saying she was “incompetent”, not aware of what was happening around her and had the “arrogance” to say she does not eat onions or garlic.
“India’s biggest strength that the UPA built over 10-15 years has been destroyed.
Economic growth has gone down from 9 per cent to 4 per cent. Hatred doesn’t create jobs, does not help economy, does not build country,” he said.
While inaugurating a science laboratory of a school here, a student, translated his speech into Malayalam, much to the amusement of all.
Also read: It’s Rahul Gandhi again — Congress all set to bring him back as party chief
Mr. duffer so far we know people are happy that this Government is not looting rest problems are in world check google just imagine the amount of money was looted every day name the thing you dont thing people forget your loot so please stop blame game and act as PROPER OPPOSITION
be coherent at least? why does rahul trigger such rant and hatred?
Trolls are out again to Pappu-bait. this obsession of BJP with Rahul Gandhi is what keeps him relevant.
As a responsible media, reporter also should quote permanent politician.
Why visitors are allowed to grab media bytes
Pappuji, all fine; but where do you disappear for six months after making an occasional political comment?
I have been asked by Shri Pappu to communicate his reply to you.
I am now in Bangkok, which I think is the ideal place to comment on Indian Politics. Why should I be in India when I can use Twitter, Facebook etc to communicate what ever I want from where ever I want! Duh about time you understood how to use technology. I can communicate my thoughts even while getting a massage!!! My friends also want me to use Linked in, but I believe one should have some work experience to be able to put ones profile there and being Mama’s boy doesn’t unfortunately count as work experience.