EC doesn’t want me to say 'chowkidar': Rahul Gandhi

BHOPAL: AICC chief Rahul Gandhi continued to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his ‘chowkidar’ jibe at an election meeting in Rewa on Friday.
“The Election Commission says I can’t say ‘chowkidar’. Because the moment I say chowkidar, people say……” and he paused. The crowd shouted, “Chor hai”. “What is my fault? I just use the word Chowkidar,” Rahul said, adding: “Even Modji hesitates while using the word chowkidar these days.”
Throwing a jab at PM Modi, the Congress chief said, “Previously, it used to be the ‘56-inch chest’.Now, there are tele-prompters on both sides where it is clearly written that even by mistake do not mention jobs or the false promise of Rs 15 lakh because Congress party has made its calculations and will make NYAY payment of Rs 3.6 lakh per poor family in five years. Modiji jhijak, jhijak ke bolte hain (Modiji speaks with hesitation now).”
Congress’s NYAY scheme of giving 5 crore poor families a grant of Rs 72,000 per year has two objectives, Rahul said. “First, it is aimed to help the poor and second, to jump-start the economy. Don’t think NYAY is not for you,” he said, speaking to small traders and businessmen in the crowd. “Because small and medium traders will gain the most when lakhs are given to the poor and they start buying commodities — from shirts and trousers to shoes, toothpaste and mobile phones. Shops will start selling wares and factories will start working. It will revive India’s economy,” he explained.
Rahul alleged that PM Modi’s “biggest betrayal” has been on the youth of the country. Congress has detailed plans laid out for the youth, he said. “When Congress comes to power, no permission will be required for young entrepreneurs to start new ventures. Bank loans will be given to youths to start businesses and generate employment. Permissions (from the government) can wait for three years till they have established their venture,” he announced.
“Narendra Modiji’s biggest victims are the youth of this country. He said his government will generate 2 crore jobs annually, but the truth is that Modiji snatches 27,000 jobs every 24 hours. While our youngsters lose 27,000 jobs per day, China generates 50,000 jobs in 24 hours. Our country today faces the gravest unemployment crisis in 45 years,” Rahul said.
“Anyone planning a business venture nowadays has to spend six to seven months just to get all the permissions. When Congress comes to power, you can start your entrepreneurship and start giving employment. Those who generate employment will get bank loans, not big businessmen,” he said. “And after three years, when you have 10, 20 or 30 employees you go and easily get your permission,” he added.
PM Modi’s policies have ruined businesses and small traders have been hit severely by demonetization and wrongful implementation of GST, the AICC chief said. “And when demand slumped in the market, factory owners started retrenching employees,” he pointed out.