Party heads lead Chhattisgarh charge

Will waive farm loans within 10 days: Rahul

KORIYA: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi reiterated on Saturday his promise of waiving farm loans within 10 days of coming to power in Chhattisgarh and said the scheme will be financed by the money recovered from businessmen like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who have fled India and owe vast sums of money to India’s banks.

Speaking at a rally in Koriya, Gandhi dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the controversial Rafale jet fighter deal and claimed Modi had waived loans worth ~3.5 lakh crore for a few rich people, but not those of poor farmers. The waiver he alluded to seemed to be a reference to writeoffs and provisions made by banks to cover loan defaults.

“Modi ji and (chief minister) Raman Singh had promised farmers of good returns against their produce and loan waiver but had not fulfilled it...Questions are being raised on where we will bring the money for the loan waiver. You very well know Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi who fled with thousand of crores of the country,” he said, adding the money would be recovered and offered to farmers.

He was speaking ahead of the second phase of polling for 72 assembly seats in Chhattisgarh on November 20. The Congress is attempting to come back to power in the state after 15 years and is fighting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an alliance of the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh and the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Gandhi also spoke at Jashpur and Ambikapur on Saturday. “Chhattisgarh was created so that it natural resources can be utilised for the welfare of the people but now we have two Chhattisgarhs — one of the rich, of those wearing suit-boot, and the second of the masses — poor, marginalised, farmers and workers.”

Gandhi said he had never made false promises. “The intentions of the Congress are very clear and we will never make false promises. In fact, you can listen to my speeches of last 15 years; I have never made false promises...,” he said.

At Ambikapur, Gandhi said if Cong won, food processing units would be opened in every block. He also challenged the PM to a debate. “I challenge Modiji for debate at any place or stage for 15 minutes on Rafale...,” he said.

The BJP dismissed his claims. “Everyone know what they have done in the last 55 years when Congress was in power...,” said Sacchinand Upasane , senior BJP leader and spokesperson.