Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been actively challenging the Modi government both in the Parliament and on the streets. He never misses an opportunity to confront the ruling party and recently jumped on President Donald Trump's comments calling India's economy 'dead'. Reflecting Trump's tone, Rahul Gandhi stated, "Yes, it's right; India's economy is indeed dead. Everyone knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister."
Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of favoring Adani while contributing to the ruination of the country's economy. He turned the 'Dead Economy' narrative into a political agenda against Modi’s government, which seems to be facing opposition from within Congress itself.
Statements from Congress MPs Manish Tiwari, Shashi Tharoor, and Rajeev Shukla stand in contrast to Rahul Gandhi's remarks. While Rahul supports Trump's negative assessment, Tharoor, Tiwari, and Shukla refute Trump's claims, arguing they are incorrect.
Rahul Takes Aim at Modi Over 'Dead Economy'
Regarding Trump's comment on India's stalled economy, Rahul Gandhi affirmed the sentiment, saying that everyone, except for the PM and Finance Minister, is aware that India's economy is struggling. He expressed contentment that President Trump vocalized this fact during a conversation with journalists at the parliament. Gandhi alleged that the BJP, in its eagerness to aid Adani, has dismantled the country's economy and destroyed its foreign policy.
According to Rahul Gandhi, India faces its most significant challenge: Modi's administration has completely dismantled the nation's economic policies and undermined its defense and foreign strategies. He alleged that PM Modi focuses solely on benefiting Adani, leaving small businesses in ruins, and accused him of steering the country towards devastation.
Rahul Gandhi seeks to highlight how the Modi government purportedly wrecked the Indian economy while favoring a few industrialists. This strategy aims to corner Modi's government while garnering public support.
Related: Russia Angered by Trump's 'Dead Economy' Statement, Putin's Ally Mentions Nuclear Retaliation
How Tiwari, Shukla, and Tharoor Diverge From Rahul?
Interestingly, it's Congress members, not just the BJP, who are poking holes in Rahul Gandhi's strategy against Modi's government using Trump's dead economy narrative. On the same day that Rahul backed Trump's statement, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla countered by asserting that the U.S. President was incorrect, emphasizing that India's economy is not lifeless. Shukla further pointed out that economic reforms began under PMs Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, continued by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and were strengthened during Singh's tenure. The current government has also contributed to economic growth, maintaining a robust economic position.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor addressed the 'dead economy' allegation, highlighting that the economy is far from nonfunctional. On the tariffs discussion, he mentioned ongoing trade negotiations might see tariffs reduced, and failure would impact exports since the U.S. is a significant market for India. Congress leader and former minister Manish Tiwari described it as showcasing India's self-reliance strength, starting from Nehru's era of non-alignment and evolving to PM Modi's vision.
Related: Dead Economy? India Grows at Double the U.S. Rate, Trump Should See These Figures
Congress Itself Weakens Rahul's Agenda
Statements from Rajeev Shukla, Shashi Tharoor, and Manish Tiwari emerged amidst Congress and Rahul Gandhi's attempts to corner the government over Trump's tariffs and 'dead economy' comments. They questioned the touted 'friendship' between Modi and Trump, considering the repercussions India faces.
Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of mismanagement. He asserted that they lack governance expertise, creating confusion nationwide. In contrast to Rahul's dire economic portrayal, Shukla, Tharoor, and Tiwari offered counter-narratives, with Congress circulating a video featuring Shukla defending economic reforms initiated by Congress and UPA and criticizing the BJP's unwarranted attacks on Gandhi's family.
