TFP Bureau, Raipur; March 26, 2024: The Congress party has intensified its criticism of the Modi government, attributing the recent depreciation of the rupee and the consequent rise in inflation to the policies of the ruling party. State Congress President Deepak Baij lambasted the BJP’s economic track record, highlighting a significant devaluation of the rupee from Rs 59 to Rs 84 against the US dollar since 2014. “The weakening rupee directly impacts the common man’s wallet,” stated Baij, emphasizing how the increased cost of imports has led to inflated prices of essential goods and services.
Baij further underscored the ripple effects of the rupee’s decline, particularly in the context of fuel prices.
“India’s reliance on imported crude oil, coupled with the weakened rupee, has resulted in elevated fuel costs, burdening ordinary citizens at the petrol pumps,” he remarked.
The cascading effect extends to transportation expenses, amplifying the overall cost of living for consumers across the board.
Drawing attention to the broader economic implications, Baij warned of escalating inflationary pressures and the likelihood of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates to curb soaring prices. “Increased loan EMIs will exacerbate financial strain on households, compounding the challenges stemming from the rupee’s depreciation,” he cautioned.
In a scathing critique, Baij juxtaposed the current scenario with pre-2014 rhetoric from BJP leaders, pointing out their erstwhile criticisms of currency devaluation. “The BJP’s failure to address the rupee’s decline underscores their governance shortcomings,” he asserted, signaling a potential electoral reckoning for the ruling party.
In tandem with its critique of the Modi government’s economic policies, the Congress party unveiled ambitious plans to empower women economically. State Congress Communication Department Chairman Sushil Anand Shukla outlined the party’s commitment to providing substantial financial support to women, contrasting it with the BJP’s token gestures.
“While the BJP offers a nominal sum of Rs 1000 to women, Congress pledges Rs 8333 per month, along with an annual grant of Rs 1 lakh,” Shukla announced, underscoring the party’s vision for women’s economic autonomy.
State Congress President Baij echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the party’s resolve to uplift women across the socioeconomic spectrum. “Congress envisions a future where women play a central role in the nation’s progress,” he declared, outlining a comprehensive agenda that includes increased representation in government jobs, enhanced support for frontline workers, and initiatives to safeguard women’s legal rights.
With the Lok Sabha elections looming, the Congress party is poised to harness these twin narratives of economic accountability and women’s empowerment in its bid to sway voters nationwide. As the political landscape heats up, the stage is set for a contest of ideologies and promises, with the electorate poised to render its verdict on the incumbent government’s performance and the opposition’s vision for the future.
