Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Rahul promises crop loan waiver, govt jobs
In Bhandara on Sunday, he stressed OBC empowerment, promised nationwide caste census
NAGPUR: Kicking off the party’s election campaign in Bhandara on Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted several key promises the party has made in its manifesto. He promised crop-loan waiver, guaranteed fair price for agricultural produce, filling up 30 lakh vacant government jobs, and ensuring educated youth got one year of apprenticeship in government or private sector with Rs one lakh annual stipend if the party were voted to power.
He said if the INDIA bloc is elected to power, their government will immediately conduct a caste census throughout the country. Additionally, women from poor sections of the society will receive ₹8,500 a month under the Mahalakshmi Yojana.
Addressing a huge crowd at Sakoli in Bhandara district, the Congress leader also assured that the honorarium of women working at anganwadis will be doubled. Sakoli is part of the Bhandara-Gondia constituency
where the Congress has fielded Dr Prashant Padole.
Lashing out at the Modi government that he claimed works only for some industrialists, he said that if the Congress-led alliance comes to power, they would focus on running the government for farmers, poor, dalits, tribals and the unemployed. He emphasized the importance of participation from all sections of society.
Targeting the prime minister, Gandhi said, “PM Modi claims to belong to the Other Backward Classes. He should disclose what he has done for OBCs in the past 10 years.” He also stressed the significance of con
ducting a caste census for the country’s future for the sake of “bhagidari” of all sections of society. He stressed that the communities were not adequately represented in any field.
“Only 22 individuals possess wealth equal to that of 50% of the nation’s population. Yet, Modi consistently focuses on religious rhetoric, attempting to sow discord among different castes and communities,” alleged Gandhi. He further asserted that the stocks of companies owned by Gautam Adani surged during the Modi administration. He criticised the NDA government, citing the inequity in GST payments between low and high earners.
The Congress leader criticized the government’s Agnipath programme, stating that the Army does not support the Agniveer scheme and assured that the Congress would abolish it upon assuming power.
During his 25-minute speech, Gandhi highlighted unemployment and inflation. He stated, “During interactions with the common people in my yatras from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, I flagged unemployment and inflation as the challenges faced by them. However, these issues are not given due attention by the media, who instead focus on non-issues like activities of Bollywood stars and cricketers.” Gandhi accused PM Modi of focusing on religious matters instead of addressing unemployment and inflation.
Mocking Prime Minister Modi, the Congress leader remarked on his response during the Covid-19 pandemic, stating, “While people were in need of medical assistance, Modi was encouraging them to clap and flash mobile phone torches.”
Gandhi also expressed strong disapproval over the exclusion of President Droupadi Murmu from the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram idol at Ayodhya temple, alleging that her absence was due to her tribal credentials which reflect the saffron party’s mentality.