PM is ignoring farmers: Rahul
KERALA RALLY Promises to set up a separate ministry for fishermen if the Congress is voted to power in LS elections
THRISSUR: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring voices of farmers, fishermen and small businessmen, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday said the NDA government listened only to industrialists.
Interacting with fishermen at the National Fishermen Parliament organised by All India Fishermen Congress in Thriprayar near here, Gandhi said in India, the most important thing is giving voice to the people.
“In today’s government, Anil Ambani or Nirav Modi have a lot of voice. Whatever they want to say to the PM can do so in 10 seconds. And they do not have to shout. They can even whisper it and the message goes whereas farmers, fishermen and small businessmen...they have to shout very loudly before the government listens to them,” he said launching the Congress’s campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala.
Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have repeatedly attacked the Bjp-led NDA government over the Rafale fighter jet deal. Dassault and Reliance Defence have denied any wrongdoing.
During the rally in Kerala, Gandhi said he was talking about the “dishonest” people associated with Modi and “it is really the fight between Congress and Modi”. He also alleged the “dishonest” people help Modi in mar- keting himself. Taking a dig at Modi, he said, “I don’t call Anil Ambani Anil Bhai, I don’t call Nirav Modi Nirav Bhai, I don’t call Mehul Choksi Mehul Bhai...”
He attacked finance minister Arun Jaitley for allegedly meeting industrialist Vijay Mallya, accused of defaulting on banks loans, before he fled the country.
Responding to the grievances raised by members of the fishing community, the Congress chief vowed to set up a separate ministry for fishermen if the Congress is voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections, saying unlike Narendra Modi he did not make “fake promises”. “My commitment to you is that the moment we win the 2019 elections, all fishermen of the country will get their own dedicated ministry in Delhi.”
Assuring fishermen that he would fulfil the promise if the Congress wins, the Congress chief said, “I am not like Narendra Modi. I don’t make fake promi s e s . ” “Pl e a s e l o o k a t my speeches. When I say something, I only say it because I have decided to do it,” he said.
“...The exclusive ministry for your needs will be like a non-violent weapon for all of you. Issues with the Sri Lankan Navy, Coastal Regulation Zone and trawlers will all be addressed,” he added. Gandhi also met the family members of a slain Youth Congress activist Shuhaib , who was allegedly killed by CPI(M) workers in February last year, and consoled his relatives.