Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikajun Kharge speaks during the Budget session of Parliament. (PTI)

New Delhi: Congress president Malllikarjun Kharge on Thursday released a 54-page "black paper" indicting the Centre of 10 years' of  "injustice". In its "chargesheet", the Congress attacked the government on rising prices, unemployment, subversion of institutions and "discrimination" against the non-BJP states. Responding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his characteristic style, took a swipe at the Congress and referred to the black paper as "kaala teeka" to ward off the evil eye from the good work being done by his government.

“We are bringing out a black paper against the government. Whenever Mr Modi presents his views in Parliament, he hides his failures. At the same time, when we speak about the failures of the government, it is not given importance. Therefore, we thought of bringing out a black paper and telling the public about the failures of the government," Mr Kharge, who was flanked by party leaders Pawan Khera and Syed Naseer Hussain, said at a press conference at his residence here.

The black paper highlights social, economic and political "injustices" committed during the Modi government's tenure. "The Modi government's 10 years in power have devastated the country's economy, aggravated unemployment, destroyed the country's agricultural sector, abetted crimes against women and committed grave injustices against minorities in the country," the Congress alleged in its black paper.

Under the "economic injustice" segment, the black paper talks about the "unemployment crisis", lack of jobs and low labour force participation. "The Modi government is silent on price rise...The prices of petrol, diesel and daily essentials have reached record levels," the black paper claims.

Terming the 2016 demonetisation move as a blunder, the party said, "Even seven years after the disastrous demonetisation, its economic effects continue to haunt the country."

Attacking Mr Modi, Mr Kharge said he talks of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi when asked about the price rise, but “they are ruling now and they should answer what they have done".

The Congress president pointed out that it was Modi's guarantee to provide 2-crore jobs and ensure MSP for farmers. Since he has failed, now the Prime Minister should say he could not do it, but instead he has come up with new guarantees.

"The Congress ensured the country's Independence and in 2024, it will take the country out of the BJP's 'darkness of injustice'," he said.

Accusing the BJP government of "finishing democracy", Mr Kharge said, "There is a danger to democracy in the country."

The Congress president accused the BJP of attempting and also toppling elected governments. "They tried to do this in Jharkhand also, but we stopped them," he said, alleging that the Modi government discriminated against the non-BJP states over the last decade.

Hitting back, Mr Modi said: "The country has reached new heights in the last 10 years. We take it (black paper) as kala teeka to help ward off the evil eye."

Mr Modi said Mr Kharge, being an elder, has put this kaala teeka for the good work being done by our government in the country's progress.

Referring to the black robes earlier worn by the Opposition MPs in the House as a mark of protest, Mr Modi said, "We also saw a fashion parade in the Rajya Sabha when some members came in black clothes."