Ambedkarnagar: Reiterating his trast-mast analogy, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi told the public at Khaat Sabha in Ambedkarnagar to turn the tables on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and make sure that Janata became Mast and Modi aur unke mitr Trast (Public elated, Modi and his friends frustrated).
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of spreading communal animosity and hatred, he said, "The country runs on brotherhood, peace and amity. Communal conflict would only take us backward." Sharpening his attack on the RSS, Rahul said, "The RSS wrote letters to the British to set free its leaders. Nearly half-a-dozen letters were written to request the release of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The Congress leaders (such as Jawaharlal Nehru) on the other hand stood firm against the British, faced their torture, went to jail and fought for India's independence."Enumerating the contribution of his party in the development of the country Rahul said it was the Congress that ushered in the green revolutionin the country, built the Bhakra Nangal dam or played a role in nationalization of banks.
Replying to a question of reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, Rahul said, "Since, RSS is an all-men organization, with no representation of women, it would be a folly to presume that the BJP government would provide reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies. But, if the Congress is voted to power, we would think on those lines."
"The Congress introduced the Land Acquisition bill in the Parliament. The Act brought by us also had the provision of seeking the permission of the farmer, and giving compensation, which was almost 4 times the market rate," the Congress vice-president said.
He further recalled the tale of a woman of Bhatta-Parsaul, whose land was forcibly taken away by the then Uttar Pradesh government. "However, the current government was hell bent in amending the Land Acquisition Act, and tried it for 3 times. They gave up when the ultimately realized that it could not be done. PM Modi had promised the farmers during his election rallies that if voted to power, the BJP would give 50% additional amount to the farmer in addition to his input cost," Rahul said, and added that as a result of which the farmer who is selling the daal at Rs 40 per kg, is forced to buy them at an exorbitant price of Rs 200 per kg.
Taking a jibe at PM Modi, the Congress vice-president said that PM Modi is helping all his industrialist friends and is travelling with them in the jets and also facilitating their meeting with foreign heads of the state. "Has he ever allowed the farmers and labourers to travel with him," Rahul asked the crowd.
The Congress vice-president also declared that if the current government does not waive off the loans of the farmers, then the Congress would do so, once it comes back to power. He also blamed the PM of not taking enough steps to reduce the price of petrol despite decline in global prices. "Is the money going to pocket of Narendra Modi"? Rahul asked the audience.
The Congress vice-president said PM Modi waived off Rs 1,10,000 crore of loans of top industrials and businessmen. "This is almost three times the funds allocated for MNREGS (Rs 35,000 crore). But, those who have nothing, like farmers and labourers, seem to be at the receiving end," he said.
Meanwhile, taking a jibe at the BJP for calling Rahul Gandhi's khaat sabha a flop show, Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said the statement shows its frutration and jealousy because the saffron party has not been able to organise a similar programme which has received wide public support.
dmitting the alleged theft of cots from his Deoria khaat panchayat, Rahul said, "I want to ask PM Modi why it is so that if 2-3 farmers are taking away cots, they are branded as thieves, but when Vijay Malaya has fled the country with almost Rs 10,000 crore, he is termed as a defaulter."
In Ambedkarnagar, Rahul Gandhi greeted people at different kiosks set up by the party near tehsil tri-section. He also visited the Dargah of Kichaucha Sharif and winded up his Ambedkarnagar's programme.
RaGa, Interrupted:
A young girl - Anshu Mishra of Faizabad - came close to the dias, crying and demanding an audience with Rahul. Rahul's speech was interrupted for almost 10 minutes. Security personnel escorted the girl off the stage. Later, former UPCC chief Nirmal Khatri said the girl claimed her sister was harassed by anti-social elements and no one was willing to help. Khatri said Rahul had asked him to look into the matter. further told the reporters that he has been told by Rahul Gandhi to personally oversee the case, and ensure that justice is done to the girl and her sister.
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