Rahul promises free travel for all women

T'puram: Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched the UDF's campaign for the assembly elections by announcing five guarantees if it comes to power.Addressing a rally in the state capital, Gandhi promised free bus travel for women in KSRTC buses, a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 for college-going girl students and an increase in monthly welfare pensions to Rs 3,000. He also announced a new health insurance scheme named after former chief minister Oommen Chandy, offering coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for every household and the creation of a dedicated ministry for senior citizens. The UDF also promised interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for young entrepreneurs.
Rahul also cautioned UDF leaders to remain united in the runup to the elections. Saying that this message came from the people of Kerala, he urged leaders of the alliance to work together if they wanted to return to power. Using the analogy of a group dance performance, he called on leaders to "dance together" to defeat what he termed the "corrupt" LDF govt and ensure a better future for the people of Kerala. He also expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their support during politically challenging times.The Congress leader also accused the Centre of selectively targeting opposition leaders through central agencies while sparing leaders of the ruling front in Kerala. He questioned why agencies such as the ED took action against opposition leaders but not against chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan or his family. Gandhi alleged that the BJP and the CPM indirectly worked together in the state.He said a UDF govt would focus on generating employment by supporting small and medium enterprises and creating new opportunities in the state.Earlier, Puthu Yuga Yatra led by opposition leader V D Satheesan concluded in Thiruvananthapuram. Addressing a rally, Satheesan said the people embraced the march as their own and described it as a strong endorsement of the new Kerala model proposed by the UDF. Expressing confidence about the alliance's prospects in the upcoming elections, he said the UDF would form the govt with more than 100 seats and pledged to rebuild the state.Attacks Modi over US deal Rahul launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "betraying the country" by signing a deal with the US that he claimed would harm India's farmers, small traders and national interests.Rahul said India's vast data resources, generated by its 1.4 billion people through medical records, communications and mobility patterns, were among the country's most valuable assets. He alleged that the deal would allow such data to be accessed by the US, which could have implications for India's future in artificial intelligence and digital technology. This data was sold to the US as per the deal, he said.Addressing a UDF rally in the state capital, Rahul alleged that the agreement would open India's agricultural sector to large American mechanised firms, putting small farmers in the country at a disadvantage. He said such a move was not undertaken by previous prime ministers and warned that Indian crops and agricultural livelihoods could be affected.Rahul also raised concerns about India's energy security, claiming that the deal would force India to buy oil only from countries approved by the US. He alleged that this would limit India's ability to independently procure oil, including from Russia.Rahul further alleged that imports from the US worth around Rs 9 lakh crore could enter India under the agreement, adding that no previous prime minister signed such a deal.Rahul claimed that several documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case were yet to be made public and alleged that individuals close to Modi, including industrialist Anil Ambani and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, were mentioned in them.Rahul further referred to legal issues in the US involving industrialist Gautam Adani and alleged that the prime minister feared financial links connected to the BJP could be exposed. Rahul claimed that due to such pressures, Modi hurriedly agreed to the deal with the US and alleged that the US President publicly threatened to damage Modi's political career. Hence, Modi was compromised, he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !