Sitaram Yechury says BJP's crony capitalism causing economic crisis

Sitaram Yechury, the CPI(M) general secretary, alleged the country is facing an "unprecedented economic crisis" because of demonetisation, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and crony capitalism of the BJP-led NDA government. Addressing an election rally in Dahanu segment of Maharashtra's Palghar district in support of CPI(M) candidate Vinod Nikole on Sunday, he said the BJP and Shiv Sena need to be defeated to save the country and its citizens.

"There is an unprecedented economic crisis in the country today, because of demonetisation, GST, NPAs (non- performing assets) and crony capitalism of the BJP government," Yechury said.

He alleged that there was a move to shut the state-owned BSNL and MTNL to help industrialist Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio. "Instead of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's slogan of Jai Hind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new slogan has become 'Jio Hind'," Yechury said. He also alleged that there were plans to close public sector oil company BPCL to help some industrialists.

The Left leader claimed that unemployment has reached its worst level in the last 50 years.

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"The worst aspect of the present regime is that it is dividing people on the basis of religion. Communal tensions, mob lynchings are going on unabated. The Kashmir issue and the NRC in Assam are its striking examples," Yechury said. "If we have to save the country and ourselves, we will have to defeat the BJP-Shiv Sena and elect Left, democratic and secular candidates," he said.

He also said that the Forest Rights Act, which seeks to restore the rights of tribes living in forests for generations, was enacted in 2006 when the Left parties pressed for it, but the BJP-led central government was not implementing it. On the contrary, the Centre has proposed "draconian" amendments in the Indian Forest Act of the British era, he said.

Meanwhile, nearly 50 Shiv Sena activists from Dahanu tehsil quit the Uddhav Thackeray-led party on Sunday, citing "disillusionment", and joined the CPI(M). On Wednesday, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat is scheduled to address two rallies in Talasari and Dahanu tehsils of Palghar.

Opposition takes on BJP govt over economy, GST, agrarian crisis

Days ahead of the Maharashtra elections Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Modi government for the country's agrarian crisis and growing unemployment on Sunday. He stated that the BJP led government was diverting people's attention by talking about ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 rather than jobs, moreover stating that India's moon mission will not feed hungry citizens. Condemning the Centre's moves such as demonetisation and GST, he said that the economy had been decimated due to these moves. He assured that while Congress candidates did not talk about the moon, they would deliver on their promises.

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NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for repeatedly using his name in campaign speeches in poll-bound Maharashtra and said they must address issues related to economy and farmers. 

In a veiled attack at Shah, the NCP veteran said, "There is a 'big' person, quite 'big'. Did you get who it is? He has come from Gujarat. He is experienced. He was in jail in Maharashtra for five-six months." "He (Shah) is asking me to clarify stand on Article 370. But did I create any disturbance in Parliament (when Article 370 was discussed in August). Then how can you ask such a question? He must speak on issues related to the country's economy and farmers," Pawar added.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's 'movie logic' on the economy. Owaisi asked why only 5 out of 800 movies cross the 100 crore mark while addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra's Jalgaon. Mocking the BJP, Owaisi even pointed out the low box office collections of the "PM Narendra Modi" movie.  Taking Ravi Shankar Prasad to task, Owaisi said that his statement was an insult to the poor and unemployed. He also pointed out that the question was about the Indian economy and GDP.

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(With PTI inputs)