New Delhi: At a Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting on Wednesday, Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched a scathing critique of the Modi government, accusing it of deliberately avoiding the overdue Census, which was scheduled for 2021. She argued that this delay will obstruct an accurate population count, particularly affecting scheduled castes and tribes, and deny over 12 crore citizens access to benefits under the National Food Security Act.
During her speech, Gandhi remarked, “It is evident that the Government has no intention of conducting the Census, which was due in 2021. This delay will prevent us from having an updated population estimate, especially for scheduled castes and tribes. Consequently, it will deny at least 12 crore citizens their rightful benefits under the National Food Security Act of 2013, now rebranded as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana,” according to a statement from the All India Congress Committee.
Gandhi also expressed her condolences for the victims of the recent Wayanad landslide and other natural disasters. “First, let me extend our deepest sympathies to the families affected by the devastating landslide in Wayanad. The scale of destruction has been immense. Our colleagues in the state are actively assisting, and we also extend our condolences to those affected by floods in other parts of the country. Additionally, the ongoing railway accidents, attributed to mismanagement, continue to claim lives. Our thoughts are with these victims as well,” she said.
Criticizing the 2024-25 budget, Sonia Gandhi took issue with the Modi government’s approach to economic and social challenges, particularly concerning farmers and youth. She asserted, “The government remains detached from reality as millions of families grapple with rising unemployment and inflation. The needs of farmers and youth have been disregarded. Allocations in crucial sectors fall short, and despite official claims of success, the public remains disillusioned. The government’s top leaders are out of touch with the harsh realities faced by millions.”
Sonia Gandhi further condemned the state of the education system under Modi’s administration, citing failures in competitive exams and damage to key institutions like NCERT, UGC, and UPSC. “Education has suffered significantly in recent years. Instead of advancing, our educational system is increasingly flawed and manipulated. Issues with competitive exams have shattered the hopes of many young people and undermined the credibility of institutions like NCERT, UGC, and even Constitutional bodies like UPSC,” she said.
She also criticized the government’s handling of national security and terror attacks, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. “Recent weeks have seen at least eleven terror attacks in the Jammu region alone, with similar incidents in the Valley. The loss of security personnel and civilians undermines the government’s claims that all is well in J&K. The situation in Manipur remains dire, and despite the Prime Minister’s international travels, he has failed to address the situation in the state,” Gandhi remarked.
Looking ahead to upcoming state elections, Gandhi emphasized the importance of maintaining the momentum from the Lok Sabha elections. “With elections approaching in four states, we must continue to build on the goodwill generated in the Lok Sabha elections. It is crucial to avoid complacency and work together with a clear sense of purpose. If we perform well, we could see significant changes in national politics,” she concluded.