Mumbai: Kicking off the pre-poll rally in Maharashtra on Friday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed large crowds in Dhule and Mumbai. Addressing Congress workers and leaders on Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority grounds at Bandra-Kurla-Complex, Gandhi was on the roll. He strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘politicising’ the air strikes on Pakistan.
He also challenged Modi to show one promise which he has fulfilled till date. Gandhi launched the Congress campaign in Dhule with a public meeting reportedly attended by nearly one lakh people. Gandhi tried to draw a parallel between him and Modi on the issue of the air strikes which took place on February 26.
“I had instructed the Congress workers and leaders not to level any allegations against the government in the wake of the air strikes. I had said that India should stand united. Was I correct? On the other hand, PM Narendra Modi levelled allegations against the Opposition parties at a function in India Gate.
He can’t live for even five minutes without his public relation exercise. This is the difference between them and us,” said Gandhi. He alleged that Modi has not kept a single promise made by him whether it is employment to two crore youths every year and good prices for farmers.
“I am in politics since 2004. Show me a single false promise made by me. On the contrary, show me a single promise kept by Modiji. It is my challenge, let anyone show me a video clip proving Modiji has kept his promise,” he said. Gandhi reiterated his allegation that the Modi government has been working for the betterment of a handful of industrialists.
He said, “They want to grab the lands of tribals and hand them over to a few industrialists. Your land and future is being snatched away.” Gandhi also criticised the Union government for transferring Rs 6,000 annually into the bank accounts of farmers’ families.
“The government should be ashamed of announcing Rs 17 per month to every farmer’s family. There are two Hindustans — one for the farmers and the poor; the other for Modi, Anil Ambani and the industrialists. If we come to power, then there will be only one Hindustan. That will lead to the development of all.” Gandhi also reiterated that if Congress comes to power in the next elections, the government will deposit a minimum income to every poor person’s account.
Among the first pit stop Rahul made, was visiting the family of the Congress leader, the late Gurudas Kamat. This visit is seen as a move to soothe ruffled feathers in the party. The differences between various factions in Mumbai Congress surfaced recently, as Milind Deora tweeted his disappointment and expressed dissatisfaction over Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam’s style of functioning. A pattern similar to that of Kamat.
