Daijiworld Media Network - Raichur (SP)
Raichur, Apr 20: Shortly after Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi, set the tone for the election through his blistering criticism of the Congress, All India Congress Committee president, Rahul Gandhi, tried to wrest the initiative by branding the PM as the Chowkidar of industrialists. Speaking at public campaign meetings held at Chikkodi and Raichur on Friday April 19, he tried to turn the tables on Modi by blaming him for protecting the interests of the rich and the affluent class to the detriment of poor people of the country.
"Modi has asked people to make him Chowkidar of the country, not the PM. But, instead of working as the Chowkidar of the poor people, the downtrodden and farmers, he has turned into the Chowkidar of rich people like Ambani and Nirav Modi. He has robbed the money of the people and farmers and handed it to Nirav Modi, Ambani, and Vijay Mallya. If our government rises to power, we will recover the entire money due from these people in one stroke," he promised.
At the same time, Rahul said that the country follows the rich culture of respecting the elderly and the Guru is revered the most. "But the way senior BJP leader, L K Advani, is being treated, is humiliating to say the least. Modi makes Advani to stand in front of him with folded hands. If Advani salutes him, Modi looks the other way. He should be ashamed of behaving with seniors in such a way," he said.
Rahul said that the current election is being fought on issues. "While Congress fights for truth, justice, and love, BJP is treading on falsehood, injustice, and enmity. During the five years of his rule, Narendra Modi worked against truth and justice," he commented and asked people to decide for themselves whether they want a government that doles out false promises or a government based on truth and justice.
The Congress leader promised to take up development works on a large scale which the Modi government failed to execute. He claimed that farmers’ loans were waived only in one state that is ruled by the Congress in the entire country, duly claiming that Karnataka has waived farm loans worth Rs 40,000 crore. He also derided Modi for initiatives like demonetization and harping on army action. He also promised to credit Rs 72,000 annually to the bank accounts of the poor, and present two annual budgets, one for the nation, and the other for farmers. He promised to modify legal provisions to ensure that farmers are not jailed for non-repayment of their loans.