In a strong rebuttal to criticisms from the opposition, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has affirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is not taking U-turns, but rather being responsive to the needs of the Indian people.
New Delhi: Goyal addressed the ongoing criticism from a “despondent and frustrated” opposition, which claims that PM Modi’s third term is filled with policy reversals. He emphatically stated, “There is absolutely no U-turn… except responsiveness to the people of India.”
“I think the opposition is so despondent… so frustrated… that they are criticising us in foreign countries,” Goyal mentioned, referring to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s comments in the United States. “And I think there can be nothing more shameful,” he added.
Piyush Goyal: “This is a Listening Government”
Goyal emphasized that the Modi government stands firm in its decisions, labeling it as a “listening government.” “Prime Minister Modi is respected and loved by the people because he has his ears to the ground and responds positively,” Goyal continued, refuting claims of any significant policy reversals under PM Modi’s leadership.
The Union Minister also downplayed concerns that the current government might be struggling due to not having a decisive majority in parliament. Although the BJP managed to return to power after the recent elections, winning 240 seats (32 below the majority mark), Goyal argued that this has not affected their governance.
All About Collaboration
Even though BJP secured a majority in the previous terms, they included National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members in the cabinet. “There is no difference between Modi 3.0 and its two predecessors,” Goyal stressed, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and unity within the alliance.
The Unified Pension Scheme Controversy
Last month, the government faced significant backlash from Congress over the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which is set to be implemented starting April 1st next year. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge mocked the government, suggesting that the ‘u’ in UPS stands for ‘U-turn’. He cited the rollback of other laws, including those concerning the capital gains tax and lateral entry into civil services as evidence of the government’s policy reversals.
Goyal’s statement and pushback come at a critical time as the ruling party navigates these contentious issues.
Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism in the US
The BJP government has also been under the lens for comments made by Rahul Gandhi during his events in the United States. Gandhi’s remarks ranged from reservations for marginalized communities and freedom of religion to India’s handling of the border conflict with China. These comments have sparked considerable controversy back home.
In one of his statements, Gandhi discussed the battle with the BJP as an ideological divide, touching upon sensitive topics like whether a Sikh is allowed to wear a turban or a kada. This sparked an immediate and fierce backlash.
Minister Puri Hits Back
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Union Minister Hardeep Puri accused him of spreading a “dangerous narrative.” Puri criticized Gandhi for making negative statements about the Indian government while on foreign soil, particularly given his role as the Leader of the Opposition.
Goyal and Puri’s defenses underscore the BJP’s stance against the ongoing critiques and emphasize their commitment to governance and responsiveness over what they view as the opposition’s baseless allegations and subjective opinions.
In summary, despite facing political hurdles and criticism, the Modi government believes it is firmly on track, with a focus on responsiveness and effective governance. While the opposition aims to highlight perceived flip-flops, government officials like Piyush Goyal maintain that their actions are in the best interests of the Indian populace.
