Former national president of Indian national Congress Rahul Gandhi aiming to win the confidence of numerically and politically powerful and affluent Other Backward Castes (OBC) community on Monday promised to provide 27 per cent reservation to the OBS if the Congress and its alliance are voted to power in Jharkhand. At the same time, he talked about increasing the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 2,500.
Addressing two election rallies at Barkagoan (Hazaribag) — 75 km north from State capital and at BIT football ground, the Congress leader skipped no opportunity in targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Raghubar Das.
Rahul said, “The Congress Government at Chhattisgarh has announced to provide 27 per cent reservation to OBC. I promise that if the Grand Alliance government, of which Congress is a part, is voted to power the Government will announce 27 per cent reservation to OBC communities.”
The Congress leader’s last-minute promises to garner the votes of the other backward castes (OBCs), especially the Kurmi-Mahato community assume importance as all major political parties have made OBC reservation pet issue in election. While, the BJP has talked about increasing the OBC reservation based on their population as per Constitutional limit, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), too has pledged to provide 67 per cent reservation to STs, OBCs and SCs.
Rahul Gandhi addressing rallies in support of Congress candidate Suresh Baitha (Kanke), Rajesh Kachhap (Khijri) and Lal Ajay Nath Shahdeo (Hatia) also talked about land acquisition, claiming that BJP Government’s sole interest is to grab the land of tribals. Referring to example of Chhattisgarh Government he said, “The Chhattisgarh Government’s land acquisition policy clearly mention that if any company acquiring land of tribals fails to set up industrial unit within five years then the land will be returned to farmers. The Chhattisgarh Government had acted in the policy and has returned the land of tribals, which was acquired by Tata.”
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said the BJP Government’s only concern is to safeguard the interest of handful of industrialists mainly Ambai and Adani.
“Modiji has no hesitant and problem in waiving the loans of Ambani and Adani, but when the issue of waiving loan of farmers comes the NDA Government raises its hand.”
The Congress chief also attacked Chef Minister Raghubar Das terming him as country’s most corrupt person. He said that the Chief Minister has allegedly grabbed the land of tribal and farmers.
The Congress rally was also attended by State Congress in-charge RPN Singh, State Congress chief Rameshwar Oroan, former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, senior Congress leader Ajay Sharma, JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya among others.
RPN Singh said, “The Modi Government talks about doubling the farmers income by 2022, but when it comes to waiving the farmers loan they try to raise their hands.”
As the rally was held at farm land, the Congress state in-charge thanked and appreciated farmers in giving their farm land for Congress rally.
JMM general secretary Bhattacharya said, “JMM is contesting the election in alliance with Congress and RJD, but the BJP has several teams. The AJSU, JVM, JDU and Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are all B teams of BJP.”
He asked the voters to be cautioned with BJP and their B teams.
Sources said that any Rahul Gnadhi is second leader from Nehru-Gandhi family to addressed rallies at BIT Mesra. Over three decades back, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had addressed the rally at same venue.
The 5,000 plus crowd comprising youths, women and children were excited to see Rahul Gandhi.
Darshan Mahto, a resident of BIT said, “Unlike 2014 and 2019 general elections, this time Congress is more aggressive and has chance of giving tough challenge to the BJP.”