Following Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Saturday on X that inflation is set to hit Indian households, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut echoed similar concerns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is busy trying to bring the BJP government to power in West Bengal while the rupee continues to fall in the market, Raut said at a press conference in Delhi on Sunday.
Raut reminded the Prime Minister of his days as Prime Minister, when he said that the falling rupee was hurting the country’s image.
“There will be a century… I cry baar, 100 ki baar. Where is Modi ji? He is in West Bengal, preparing for President’s rule to defeat Mamata Banerjee. Modi ji and Shah ji are trying to do ‘Kila’ in West Bengal, while the value of the rupee is falling… Modi ji said that when the value of the rupee falls, the prestige of the country falls. What is it? Is he the one who is falling now?” Raut said, according to an ANI report.
The rupee opened at a record low of 92.89 to the dollar on Friday and fell further to cross the 93 mark, indicating continued pressure on the local currency.
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While speaking to ANI, Raut demanded Modi’s resignation, saying it was time for him to choose his position jhola And leave. “…The rupee started its downward spiral precisely when PM Modi became Prime Minister. The PM is still busy in the election campaign and does not care about the rupee. I have only one thing to say to him: ‘Modi ji, ab gula uthao or chali jay.’
Rahul Gandhi fears inflation is coming
Earlier, Gandhi criticized the Modi government over the weak rupee and high fuel costs, terming them as early warning signs of a looming inflation crisis. He said the Center was downplaying the seriousness of the situation while ordinary citizens were bracing for a rise in prices of essential commodities.
Gandhi warned that increased production and transportation costs will hurt micro, small and medium enterprises more, lead to a significant rise in daily expenses, and put more pressure on the stock market due to outflows of foreign investors. He accused the government of lacking direction and strategy, saying its response was limited to rhetoric, while the burden of economic mismanagement would ultimately fall on ordinary families.
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Gandhi wrote on his
Mamata Banerjee points out that rising fuel prices are the main issue in West Bengal heading to the polls
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made the rising cost of LPG and fuel a major issue in the state heading towards elections. She earlier led a march to protest against the high cost of LPG and the shortage in supply. Banerjee said she did not believe the ongoing war with Iran was the reason behind the LPG crisis and questioned the Centre’s intention.
“What happened to the stocks we had? Why wasn’t action taken on time instead of the SEC suddenly applying? Was there no planning? And this is not just because of the war. The price of a local LPG cylinder reached $100.” $400 in 2014. It has been raised to $“1,000 over the years,” Banerjee said, targeting the BJP-led NDA government, which first came to power in 2014.
He asked, “Is there really a shortage? Or have they (the Center) reserved the stock so that fuel can be used during the elections?” Banerjee added.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has maintained its stand that though there are concerns over LPG supply with major sea routes closed due to the war with Iran, no outlet has reported stockout across India. The ministry also urged commercial LPG users to switch to pipelined natural gas, where available, to ease pressure on cylinder supplies. However, despite government assurances of adequate stock, reports of panic buying and long queues at LPG depots have emerged in several parts of the country.
(With inputs from agencies)
