Rs 30,000 Cr for Ambani, But Govt Can’t Pay for OROP: Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi said, if voted to power in 2019, “Congress will fulfil all their demands including OROP.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

(Photo: IANS)

As retired defence personnel rally for One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP), Congress President Rahul Gandhi met former service officers at party headquarters on Saturday, 27 October.

Gandhi told the former military personnel that if voted to power in 2019, “Congress will fulfil all their demands, including OROP,” and keep all the commitments the party has made towards the country’s soldiers.

Further, raking up the Rafale deal controversy, he said the Narendra Modi government had enough money to hand out Rs 30,000 crore to industrialist Anil Ambani, but refused to meet the demands of the soldiers on OROP.

“Mr Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 crore to do nothing, but our soldiers can’t be given OROP. Rs 30,000 crore are enough to meet OROP demands. In fact, you only need Rs 8,300 crore. You’re ready to give that much to Ambani but you’re not ready to work for our forces’ equipment, future and pension.”

Rahul Gandhi, Congress President

The Congress has alleged that the Anil Ambani-led company was favoured by the Modi government on the offset contract of the Rafale deal. The private firm, however, has denied the allegations.

After the 30-minute meeting, Gandhi added that the Modi government needs to amend their approach to the OROP issue. He went on to promise the ex-servicemen that if voted to power, Congress will fulfil all their demands.