PM should ask us to take over if he can’t give jobs, says Rahul

AMETHI: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, saying if the PM was unable to provide jobs to youth and help farmers, he should make way for Congress.

Addressing a meeting of farmers at Kathaura village on the first day of his three-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, he said: “Modi should not waste India’s time. He should begin providing jobs to the youth. There are two main issues in India — the issue of farmers and that of providing employment. Others are smaller issues. If Modiji is not able to do it, he should tell the Congress to take over and we will do this work in six months.”

This was Gandhi’s first visit to Amethi after the Congress’ debacle in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections held earlier this year.

Referring to the BJP’S poll promises, he said anger was rising against the PM for failing to deliver on promises. “Everybody in India is aware that this person (Modi) promised us two crore jobs and he is not able to do so. This is hurting. Modi speaks about Make in India and start-ups but does not give jobs. Now, anger is rising… wherever you go. Farmers are committing suicide,” the Amethi MP said.

Charging the BJP with ignoring schemes such as food park and other projects meant for development, he said, “It is unfortunate that the BJP has harmed the interest of people of Amethi...this is wrong. Their (BJP’S) thinking is like this only...but I will fight for you all.” He said Make in India and start-up campaigns will have no meaning if there is no talk about ‘Make inamethi’ and ‘Make in UP’.

He also mentioned BJP chief NEWDELHI: The Congress on Wednesday asserted that Rahul Gandhi is the “unquestioned choice” of all workers and leaders for the party chief’s post, even as it maintained that any person was welcome to contest the elections for the top organisational position.

“Rahul Gandhi continues to remain the unquestioned choice of every leader and worker for party president’s post,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

He said the Congress V-P was “democratic enough” and the party “resilient enough” to welcome any of its workers or leaders who wish to contest any post. Surjewala cited examples to suggest that Congress has witnessed such contests in the past. Asked if Gandhi will be anointed president by month-end, he said the question will be answered when organisational polls end.

Amit Shah’s description of promises as “election jumlas.”

India was generating only 450 jobs for 30,000 youth per day, Gandhi said, adding this was much lower than China which was giving 50,000 jobs per day.

As an opposition leader, he said he wanted to make a suggestion to the Modi government to think about GST again.