NewzVille Desk
In a scathing attack on PM Narendra Modi for his failure to take a stand on the illegal war against Iran, the Congress today held him responsible for his weak foreign policy that has pushed the country into an energy crisis and an impending economic strain.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, Congress spokesperson, Pawan Khera, described Modi’s relationship with the US and Israeli leaders like that of a “ghulam” (slave) with his ‘Sahib’ (Trump) and ‘Bibi’ (Netanyahu).
He said that, had Modi shown some courage and taken a moral stand, as India has always done in such circumstances, the country would not be facing the energy crisis today.
He pointed out that 60 percent of households across the country are grappling with LPG shortage. Besides, he added, the authorities are considering to supply only 10 kg gas in a 14.2 kg cylinder.
Khera pointed out that India had always provided moral leadership to the world and had always supported the rules-based order.
He said the Congress had repeatedly asked him to condemn the illegal attack on Iran and also condemn and condole the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. But, he pointed out, Modi had not opened his mouth even till today. Nor did the PM condemn the killing of 168 school children in Iran, he added.
The senior Congress leader thanked the Iranian Embassy in India for acknowledging the support of the people of India.
He said that if Iran was providing any concessions to India, it was obviously not because of the government, but for the people of the country who have stood by Iran, which it (Iran) has gracefully acknowledged.
The Congress spokesperson noted that Russia and China are having free access through the Strait of Hormuz. He said eight countries, including India, are negotiating with Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. But, he added, Iran will receive all the payments in Chinese currency.
He noted that while pointing out that earlier when India used to buy oil from Iran, it paid in Indian rupees, which saved huge foreign exchange.
He said the Strait of Hormuz would have been open for India also, if the Prime Minister had shown some spine and taken the right stand.
The Congress spokesperson clarified that his party had never asked Modi to tilt in favour of Iran, but only wanted him to take an independent and moral stand that India was always known for.
He reminded the Prime Minister how India had looked the US straight in the eyes thrice while carrying out two nuclear tests and during the Bangladesh War with Pakistan.
Referring to the devastating impact of the war on the Indian economy, further complicated by the Prime Minister’s spineless and weak-kneed stand, he said the gas cylinders were being sold in the black market for as much as Rs 5,000. He said 60,000 metric tonnes of basmati rice were stranded.
Khera said that the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly been cautioning the government against all these crises. “What to speak of any solutions, we don’t expect even any answers from this government”, he remarked.
