Cong targets PM Modi, BJP over economy, paper leaks

Lucknow: UP Congress chief Ajay Rai on Thursday launched a sharp attack on PM Narendra Modi and the BJP, accusing the Centre of pushing the country into economic distress and failing to address issues concerning youth, farmers and unemployment.“The BJP govt had failed on multiple fronts, including handling of the economy, paper leak incidents and protection of public assets,” Rai told reporters, adding, “the BJP and the RSS are betraying the country.”Rai claimed that the country was facing an economic crisis despite the BJP running the govt for a decade. Referring to the PM’s public messaging on expenditure and consumption, he alleged that citizens were being asked to cut spending while fuel prices and inflation continued to burden people.The Congress functionary also targeted the Centre over alleged paper leak cases, claiming that several recruitment and entrance examinations had been compromised during the BJP’s tenure. Referring to the NEET controversy, he said lakhs of students had been affected by repeated examination irregularities.He further accused the govt of privatising national assets and favouring select industrialists. Raising concerns over higher education institutions, Rai alleged that universities were being politically influenced and educational standards were being weakened.Rai also referred to his electoral contest against PM Modi in Varanasi during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and alleged attempts were made to pressure him politically at the time.