Pilot attacks BJP over poll bonds donations
DEHRADUN: On the last day of campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue of electoral bonds.
Addressing a public gathering in Haldwani area of Nainital district, he said, “Through electoral bonds, BJP gave contracts in exchange for donations. They collected ₹8000 to ₹9000 crore...but the Income Tax department didn’t act against them...they seized Congress’s accounts...they suppressed the opposition’s voice...put the elected chief minister behind bars. Conducted raids through ED, CBI...suspended 147 MPs in a day.”
He further said, “You can’t ask questions from BJP. They won’t give an answer in the Parliament either. There is no scope of debate. There will be one-sided action. They want the country to be Opposition, Congress free...During Rajiv Gandhi’s time, Congress had more than 400 MPs, but he never said he wanted to end the Opposition.”
“On April 19, you all not just have to choose an MP but a new government. Five years ago, you gave a mandate which we accepted. For the last five years, a full majority government has been in power. This election is not just being contested by two candidates from Congress and BJP. This election is not just to make Prakash Joshi an MP. This is an election to decide the fate of the country. You should evaluate the government formed 10 years ago, what the government said and how much they did,” he added.
Pilot said the BJP made promises to tackle issues like inflation, unemployment, but they failed to do so, and rather brought three farm laws, demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“They used to talk about inflation, unemployment, black money, corruption...promised to double farmers’ income. No farmer’s income has been doubled. Since independence, the country has had the highest rate of unemployment among literates. After the BJP formed the government, they acted with vengeance...I request you to utilise your vote. In the last 10 years, they brought three farm black laws...demonetisation, GST..government posts are vacant. The government doesn’t worry,” he said.
The Congress leader further said when the BJP is questioned about inflation, unemployment, they either curse Jawaharlal Nehru, and Manmohan Singh or talk about 2047.
Talking about the promises made by the government, Pilot said, “I feel proud to say that our party is the first to say that we will make a law on the MSP. We will give ₹1 lakh per annum to every family. If we can waive off the debt of industrialists, why can’t we give ₹1 per lakh to poor families every year? You need a will...”
State BJP media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said, “People don’t believe in what the Congress says. They have been spreading lies for political gains but the people of Uttarakhand and the country have already made up their mind to make Narendra Modi the PM for the third consecutive time.”
Meanwhile, chief minister also held a road show in Haldwani. Dhami said he has come to offer “pranam” (greetings) to people on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Under the leadership of PM Modi, lotus will once again bloom on all five seats of Uttarakhand,” he said.
The CM, on the occasion of Ram Navami, also offered prayers at Kainchi Dham, the ashram of Baba Neem Karoli, and wished for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the state.