Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over economic policies and press freedom.
Speaking in Raebareli on May 19, Rahul said that an “economic storm” was approaching and claimed that the economic structure built around industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani would eventually collapse, affecting common citizens the most.
Rahul Gandhi also criticized PM Modi for allegedly avoiding questions from the media during his Norway visit. Sharing a post by Norwegian journalist Hailey Ling on social media, Rahul wrote that it harms India’s image when the world sees a “compromised Prime Minister” avoiding difficult questions. He added that there should be no fear if there is nothing to hide.
The controversy began after PM Modi and Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed a joint press conference on Monday without taking questions from journalists. As the leaders were leaving the venue, journalist Hailey Ling asked Modi why he does not answer questions from what she called “the world’s freest press.”
After receiving no response, Ling shared a video on X, pointing out that Norway ranks first in the World Press Freedom Index, while India stands at 157th position. She claimed India is competing with countries like Palestine, the UAE, and Cuba in terms of press freedom rankings.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded by reposting Ling’s message and inviting her to attend an official press briefing related to the Prime Minister’s visit, where she could ask her questions directly.
