Rahul’s attacks may intensify war of words between BJP, Cong
LUCKNOW: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s sharpened attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his three-day visit to Amethi, his Lok Sabha seat, are likely to intensify the ongoing ‘war of words’ between the Congress and the BJP.
On the first day of his visit on Wednesday, Rahul blamed the PM for failing to deliver in the past three years. He said ‘instead of wasting time’, the PM should focus on creating jobs for youth and resolving the crisis in the agriculture sector.
This visit to Amethi was Gandhi’s first after the UP assembly elections. As it preceded the proposed visit of BJP president Amit Shah, CM Yogi Adityanath, Union minister Smriti Irani and other senior BJP leaders on October 10, Congress leaders will keep a close watch and launch a counter offensive on the ruling party.
Rahul set the tone for the Congress counter-attack on BJP leaders by giving a list of 12 development projects that he claimed were brought to Amethi during UPA tenure. He said the BJP was trying to take credit and re-inaugurate many of these projects.
Rahul specifically targeted the PM for his ‘56-inch chest’ remark. He also spoke about the UPA government’s schemes and listed the achievements of Manmohan Singh as PM. He briefed party workers about the Modi government’s policies on demonetisation and GST implementation.
Amethi District Congress Committee president Yogendra Mishra said: “Yes, BJP leaders do come to Amethi for a picnic. We are not aware of what they will do in Amethi. We will, however, take the Congress vice-president’s message to the people.”
“We will soon work out a programme to launch an agitation and focus on failures of the Modi government,” said VK Shukla, the Rae Bareli Congress chief.