New Delhi, Sep 26 (NationPress) Congress MP Pramod Tiwari has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the timing of welfare initiatives announced shortly before the Bihar Assembly elections.

In reference to the launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana in Bihar, Tiwari accused PM Modi of making announcements during election season that tend to be forgotten after the elections.

“The public is aware that PM Modi frequently unveils significant plans right before elections, only for them to disappear once the government is in place,” he stated.

The scheme, which PM Modi inaugurated via video conferencing, aims to empower 75 lakh women in Bihar by transferring ₹10,000 into their bank accounts to aid self-employment and livelihood creation.

While recognizing the scheme’s goal to empower women, Tiwari questioned its timing and authenticity, labeling it a “pre-poll strategy.”

“Election dates will be revealed soon. Why wasn’t this initiative rolled out earlier? They have been in power for over 20 years. Everyone knows that PM Modi saves his announcements for the electoral season and overlooks them after the votes are counted,” Tiwari remarked to IANS.

He further scrutinized the intention and execution behind the initiative.

“He keeps announcing large sums, but where is the actual funding? Where is the package promised during the Maharashtra elections? This is mere deception. Their ship is sinking in Bihar. The populace has decided they will not cast their votes for the 'vote chor' this time,” he added.

Tiwari also expressed serious concerns regarding US President Donald Trump's forthcoming announcement of a 100% tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports, set to commence on October 1, 2025, unless companies start manufacturing on US soil.

“India has already endured a lot. Initially, tariffs were raised by 25%, and with a 25% penalty, the total reached 50%. Now, ₹88 lakh will be required. Indian students and talents going abroad will incur expenses in crores, as these payments are in dollars. PM Modi must cease his experiments and commence negotiations. These matters necessitate serious dialogue,” he cautioned.

Attributing the current crisis to what he termed “foreign policy blunders” by the NDA government, Tiwari asserted: “PM Modi, your foreign policy errors have cost India dearly. Was it essential for you to breach diplomatic norms by traveling to another country and chanting slogans like ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’?”

Tiwari’s remarks arise amid increased scrutiny over India’s international standing and the economic repercussions of the US’ aggressive tariff policies, which could adversely affect India’s burgeoning pharmaceutical export industry and its diaspora abroad.

Responding to BJP’s claims that Congress incited youth protests in Leh, Tiwari dismissed the allegations, stating, “These BJP leaders are either uninformed or intentionally misleading. They clearly don’t grasp Gen Z. Youth protests are integral to democracy. It’s typical for the younger generation to voice their opinions. They want to end this 'vote chori' and defend democracy. If the BJP finds that objectionable, perhaps their education needs reevaluation.”

Meanwhile, the Congress party announced that the rival BJP and certain TV anchors and social media influencers were misrepresenting footage of someone as Congress Councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, with malicious intent.

Congress media and publicity chairman, Pawan Khera, stated on X, “Numerous BJP leaders and some anchors/social media influencers are disseminating a video and images of an individual, misrepresenting him as the elected Congress Councillor - Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag.”

Khera indicated that the party would pursue legal action regarding this matter.

“We are initiating legal recourse and criminal proceedings against all those who have not only attempted to defame our party but also sought to instigate social unrest to exacerbate divisions.

“Instead of sensitively engaging with the disillusioned people of Ladakh, the BJP and their media/social media minions are indulging in their usual mudslinging and looking for opportunities to exploit the outrage in Ladakh and settle scores with political rivals,” he elaborated on X.