Mangaluru: MLC and State Chief Whip Ivan D’ Souza has criticised the BJP-led union government for a severe economic downturn in the country.

He alleged that the demonetisation followed by the implementation of GST in the country had led to a severe economic crunch creating the situation of an economic emergency.

Addressing the media on September 30, Ivan said with country’s state of economy is dire straits, the union government should constitute a round table committee involving the economic experts and leaders from all parties.

“Small scale industries have been hit and they are shutting down. There is no business for street vendors. Labourers are unemployed. The GDP growth has slumped down to 3.7. Fuel price has gone up. Due to the economic policy of Narendra Modi-led BJP government, people in the country are suffering. Even the BJP leaders are vocal about how the economic policy of the country has deteriorated. Hence the union government should come up with a ‘white paper’ on economic policy”, he added.

Ivan D’Souza also expressed that he was an aspirant from the party for the ticket in Moodbidri Assembly Constituency.

“I have an aspiration to contest for elections. It is common that there will be more than one aspirant for the ticket. The party will take a decision on whom to provide the ticket. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lead the next elections in Karnataka. The elected representatives will decide on who will be the next CM”, he said.