Cong releases 'black paper' on Modi govt's 'failures'; flags unemployment, neglect of non-BJP states

PTI, NEW DELHI, FEB 8, 2024 : The Congress on Thursday released a "black paper" to highlight the "failures" of the Modi government, alleging that the last 10 years were a period of "injustice" with issues such as rising prices, unemployment, subversion of institutions and "discrimination" against non-BJP states plaguing the country. 

Congress president Malllikarjun Kharge released a 54-page "charge sheet" indicting the Centre ahead of the government's tabling in Parliament of a 'white paper' on the "mismanagement" of the economy prior to 2014 with an aim to draw lessons. "We are bringing out a 'black paper' against the government. Whenever PM (Narendra) Modi presents his views in Parliament, he hides his failures. 

At the same time, when we speak about the failures of the government, it is not given importance. Therefore, we thought of bringing out a black paper and tell the public about the failures of the government," Kharge, who was flanked by party leaders Pawan Khera and Syed Naseer Hussain, said at a press conference at his residence here. The 'black paper' highlights social, economic and political "injustices" committed during the Modi government's tenure. 

"The Modi government's 10 years in power have devastated the country's economy, aggravated unemployment, destroyed the country's agricultural sector, abetted crimes against women and committed grave injustices against minorities in the country," the party alleged in its 'black paper'. Under the "economic injustice" segment, the 'black paper talks about the "unemployment crisis", lack of jobs and low labour force participation. 

"The Modi government is silent on price rise...the prices of petrol, diesel and daily essentials has reached record levels," the 'back paper' said. Terming the 2016 move of demonetisation as a blunder, the party said that seven years after the "disastrous demonetisation" the economic affects continue to haunt the country." 

The black paper also raised issues such as "unemployment, price rise, farmers' distress, failure to carry out a caste census and injustice to women"