In Patna Rally, Rahul Promises Farm Loan Waiver If Votes to Power
Rahul Gandhi’s Sunday rally is the first public meet organised by Congress at the Gandhi Maidan in nearly 30 years.
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Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, 3 February, said his party would waive farm loans and give a big push to the food processing industry if voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections Alleging that the Centre's crop insurance scheme is "aimed at taking away the hard-earned money of farmers to fill up the pockets of big businessmen", he promised that the Congress would initiate a number of steps to deal with farmers' distress and unemployment.
Gandhi said, his party's governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh waived farm loans within a few days of coming to power.
Gandhi was addressing the ‘Jan Aakansha’ rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, which is the first public meeting organised by the party at the venue in nearly three decades.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav were among the other leaders who addressed the rally in Patna on Sunday.
- Congress is part of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, which includes RJD, RLSP and former CM Manjhi
- This would be the first public meeting to be addressed by Rahul Gandhi in Bihar after he took over as party president
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Rahul's First Rally in Patna After Taking Over as Party President
Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address a rally on Sunday, 3 February, the first public meeting organised by the party at the Gandhi Maidan in nearly three decades.
The state unit of the Congress relegated to the status of a marginal player ever since Mandal burst on the political scene in the 1990s – appears to have shed its ennui and is working overtime to ensure that the rally is a grand success.
AICC in-charge of Bihar, Shaktisinh Gohil said on Saturday, 2 February, that invitations have been sent to Tejashwi Yadav, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi for the event.
Congress is part of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, which also comprises RJD, RLSP and HAM of former Chief Minister Manjhi, who has confirmed his presence at the event.
It needs to be seen whether Kushwaha, who is recovering at PMCH following a clash with the police, will be able to make it to the programme or not.
There, is, however, no word about participation of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
(Source: PTI)
Security Tightened in Patna
According to Superintendent of Police, Patna, Garima Malik, nearly 3,000 police personnel, including constables, sub-inspectors and officers of DSP rank would be deployed in the city to maintain law and order even as a temporary outpost has been set up in the vicinity of the rally venue.
In addition, Quick Response Teams and Anti-Terrorist Squad would be deployed at the Gandhi Maidan where more than 100 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep a close watch on movement of people, Malik told PTI.
Congress Distances Itself From Controversial Posters
A day ahead of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Patna, the Bihar Congress disowned posters that depict Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ‘Mahishasura’.
The posters, which have been allegedly put up by Congress supporters, have drawn the ire of the Bharatiya Janata Party. It also depicts Gandhi as Lord Rama and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Goddess Durga, who had – according to mythology – slain the demon king Mahishasura.
A case has been registered by a local resident at a civil court in Patna against Gandhi, state Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha and other party leaders for allegedly hurting "Hindu sentiments" by coming up with posters that depicted party leaders as Hindu deities.
"This is not a Congress poster. We cannot be held guilty for deeds by people who claim to be our supporters but are not bound by the party discipline," Jha said.
'United Congress,' Tweets Rahul Ahead of Patna Rally
Rahul Arrives at Gandhi Maidan
Rahul Has Ability to be PM: Tejashwi
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, “Rahul Gandhi has ability to be the prime minister.” He also called PM Modi a “seller of lies”.
He also indicated that Congress’ allies want equal treatment. He said that the Congress and Rahul would have to bear the biggest responsibility to unite the opposition.
Modi Fooled Farmers and Youth: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and senior Congress leader who addressed the rally before Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister has fooled India’s youth with his promises of Make in India and Digital India. He also blamed the BJP-led government and Centre and Nitish Kumar’s government in Bihar for not being able to resolve the difficulties of farmers.
Bihar Rally will Give India Something to Think About: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addressed the rally after Kamal Nath. He said, “This is not any ordinary rally, this rally in Bihar will give the country something to think about.”
“Modi didn't bring back any black money. The promise of 2 crore jobs was also jumla. The whole country is worried about the way our country is being governed,” he added.
Congress Motto is Live and Let Live: Shakti Singh Gohil
Congress leader Shakti Singh Gohil took the podium and said, “Rahul and Congress' philosophy is live and let live but BJP's motto is live and kill the rest.”
Chowkidar Chor Hai: Rahul at Congress' Rally
Taking the podium at Congress' 'Jan Akanksha' Rally in Patna's Gandhi Maidan, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, “Our chowkidar in a thief. He goes to France, US and England, and engages in scam arm deals.”
“Modi gave 30,000 crore rupees to Ambani, but he announced Rs 17 per day to farmers, that’s Rs 3.5 per member of that farmer’s family,” Rahul said.
Rahul also promised to elevate Patna University to a central university if Congress comes to power at the Centre. “Bihar used to be known for its quality education in Patna and Nalanda universities, but now Bihar is known for its high rate of unemployment”, he added.
Rahul mades promises of open food processing factories in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,Chattisgarh, where the Congress is in power.
Rahul said, “Narendra Modi has given crorepatis crores of rupees in the last five years. There is no dearth of riches in their lives, they get what they want. But the Congress has decided that if we come to power, we will guartantee minimum income to every poor person in this country. We will put money in poor people's accounts.”
“Tejashwi is a youth leader, he does what he promises,” Rahul said in praise of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, adding, “We all will together form a coalition government after Lok Sabha polls and the state assembly elections.” Towards the end of his speech, he asked the people of Bihar to ensure that the grand alliance comes to power in the state.
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Published: 03 Feb 2019,08:36 AM IST