'Undeclared emergency' imposed on television and newspapers: Congress

The Congress party on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over the recent incidents including the row surrounding Tripura Chief Minister's speech and the Gorakhpur tragedy.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's Independence day address was not broadcasted on Doordarshan and All India Radio as his speech did not include the 'achievements' of Modi government.

"The speech of Tripura Chief Minister was blacked out as he does not speak about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its achievements. Undeclared emergency has been imposed on radio, television and newspapers," Azad said at press conference.

In a veiled attack at BJP's alliance partner RSS, Azad said the Prime Minister, instead of appealing to the county for unanimity, should ask Sangh people to stop dividing the country.

"Prime Minister always pitches for unity in the country. But India is already united. Prime Minister should ask Sangh people to not divide India," he added.

Further cornering the Centre over the Gorakhpur tragedy where more than 70 children succumbed to encephalitis at Baba Raghav Das Medical College hospital, Azad said the Prime Minister dubbed the 'Gorakhpur incident a natural calamity but actually it was a man made calamity.'

"The truth will never come out if probe will take place under Prime Minister Modi's supervision because he would not issue report against his Chief Minister. If truth is to be revealed then sitting judge of Supreme Court should take up the case for inquiry," he added.

Earlier in the day, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi cornered Prime Minister Modi and the BJP over various issues including the recent Gorakhpur tragedy.

Mentioning the recent Gorakhpur tragedy, Rahul said the incident highlights the poor healthcare policies of the Modi government.

"Prime Minister Modi did not tell you that more than 90 babies died in Gorakhpur due to his healthcare policies. His Government has cut healthcare budget and the hospital could not buy oxygen cylinders for the babies," Rahul said in Bengaluru.