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New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) As Donald Trump hosted a special Diwali event at the White House, where he described Narendra Modi as “a great guy” and said he “loves the people of India”, Congress MP Imran Masood on Wednesday said the prime minister should show courage and stop picking up calls from the US President.
Speaking to IANS, Imran Masood said, “They keep saying they will impose tariffs… They threaten and intimidate us every day… Then they congratulate us, and even PM Modi accepts it. Show your strength for once – like late Indira Gandhi ji. Say for the people, ‘I will not take Trump’s call.’ Then we will believe that our Prime Minister is fearless.”
Masood also reacted to reports that the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) expects festive sales to exceed Rs 5 lakh crore during the Diwali shopping season this year due to the GST rate cut and rising demand.
“I don’t know what data they are looking at… We did not see any enthusiasm in the market this time. People did not have money, so they stocked up. Goods bought at higher GST rates were sold at lower prices. The actual loss will become clear in two months. But at least the collection has been done,” he said.
He also commented on Prime Minister Modi’s Diwali message to the nation, in which he had written to citizens saying that this Diwali is “especially special” as lamps will be lit for the first time in many remote areas affected by Naxal and Maoist influence. PM Modi also highlighted the next generation GST reforms and urged people to adopt ‘swadeshi’ products.
“The Prime Minister sometimes writes letters, sometimes shares his views… But he does not want to hear what is actually happening in the country. He has placed us among the most indebted countries in the world. He says he has done what was not achieved in 70 years – gold prices doubled in a year. The value of assets increases only when black money is in circulation. The Prime Minister is a charismatic man – this is his art. You Keep making false stories. Look where we are now. You have put the country first.” The most indebted people in the world,” he added.
Masood also commented on the unclear status of the alliance ahead of the assembly elections in Bihar.
“These things keep happening. Yes, there are glitches. Enrollments have started and everything will be fine soon,” he said.
–IANS
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