Congress mocks Modi govt, says it has realised that economy needs Viagra boost

Congress on Friday held Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies responsible for the sharp decline in country's GDP and mocked the government saying it has finally accepted that the economy needs a Viagra to boost it up.

Addressing a conference, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal mocked Modi govt for its earlier claim of rise in GDP and said the actual meaning of the word “rise” was an increase in prices of petrol, diesel and gas.

“They used to say our GDP will rise. The actual meaning of this is a rise in prices of gas, diesel and petrol. That is the GDP. One litre of crude oil costs about Rs 21 and after refining it, which costs about Rs 9, ultimately it would cost about Rs 31. What costs the government or petroleum companies Rs 31 is sold at Rs 79 (rate in Mumbai). They make the profit on every litre of Rs 48,” said senior Congress leader Sibal.

“Who bears this burden, the ordinary people - those who ride motorcycles, those who drive their cars and also the farmers, who use diesel. Profit goes to the government and burden falls on farmers,” he added.

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“Instead of bringing down the burden on the common man they are increasing their burden and their minister says ‘Who buys petrol..somebody who has a car and certainly who is not starving.’ Look at the arrogance and attitude of the government,” Sibal said.

“Why don’t they tax the one percent people of India who own 58 percent wealth of the country? During the UPA rule, it was 30 percent. The poor are becoming poorer and rich richer,” he said.

Urging BJP to not play around with the lives of the people of India, Sibal said “now they want Rs 40,000-50,000 crore to inject into the economy. No nation can survive like this. This is how they will do it (by increasing prices of essentials). There is a shortfall of Rs 65,000 crore,” he added.

“After three-and-half years, if this is the condition of the economy, where will this nation go? Good, they have realised they need Viagra to give a stimulus to the economy.”