BJP incompetent to lead country: Ponnala Laxmaiah

Warangal: Former PCC chief Ponnala Laxmaiah said the incompetence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government landed the country in economic crisis, spiralling price rise, mounting unemployment and etc.

Leading a rally, Chalo Collectorate, at the Ekasila Park here on Friday as part of Congress' nationwide protests to highlight the BJP government's policies with special focus on economic crisis, unemployment, farm distress etc, he said that that a couple of decisions by Modi spell doom for the country's growth.

"It was former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who strengthened the nation's economy during his period between 2004 and 2014. During the Congress regime, the GDP had constantly progressed to reach 8 per cent growth," Ponnala Laxmaiah said.

Since Modi had sworn in as the Prime Minister, the country is witnessing economic crisis, spiralling price rise, mounting unemployment, collapse of banking system etc, he said. This apart, the farm distress also escalated, he added.

Modi who created hype with slogans such as Make in India, Skill India, Start-up India etc fell flat after being unable to deliver them. It reflects the incompetence of the Modi government, he said.

Claiming credit for India not joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Ponnala Laxmaiah said Congress exerted pressure and ensured that the Centre backed out from bartering the interests of farmers, small and medium businessmen and others.

Referring to the ongoing TSRTC staff's strike in the State, he criticised the TRS government for its tough stand against the employees. "Even though the High Court had faulted the State government for presenting concocted figures, the latter is not ready to resolve the issue.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao will remain a dictator in the history," Ponnala Laxmaiah said. The TRS totally failed to fulfil its promises made during the elections, he said, referring to the double bedroom houses, three-acre land to dalits etc.

He said that Congress provided 55 lakh Indiramma houses during its regime, besides implementing Arogyasri, fee reimbursement etc for the welfare of poor and downtrodden.

Warangal DCC President N Rajender Reddy said that the BJP government which enforced demonetisation made people struggle. Former Minister Konda Surekha said that people will teach a fitting lesson to K Chandrashekar Rao who is behaving like a dictator.

She found fault with the government for not resolving the RTC employees' strike. The Congress leaders including Bhadrachalam MLA Podem Veeraiah submitted a memorandum to Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil.

TPCC General Secretary Namindila Srinivas, TPCC Secretary Meesala Prakash, TPCC members B Srinivas Rao, E V Srinivas Rao, OBC Department Convener M Sridhar Goud, T Rammohan Rao and Dr Puli Anil Kumar were among others present.