AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party will protect the land, forests and water that belong to tribals and poor people in Jharkhand, if voted to power. Addressing a gathering of about 10,000 people at the historic Morhabadi ground during the ‘Parivartan – Ulgulan Rally’ of the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee, the Congress chief said that he was happy that the whole Opposition was united and fighting the BJP.
“We will together fight against them and the Gathbandhan will win in all 14 seats. After six months the BJP will lose Assembly polls and we will work for the betterment of people here. We will use your money for your betterment,” he said.
Promising that he will not let the country get divided into the ‘haves’ and ‘haves not’ Rahul said that he, alongwith his team will bring a formidable change with the help of people in Jharkhand. “Farmers’ and tribals’ loans will be waived. The people will get education, health and all basic facilities in the State rather than hollow promises,” he said.
The Congress president launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion accusing him of stealing public money and polarising the country on the basis of caste, community and economic status of people. He claimed that with support of Opposition parties the Congress will root out the BJP from the Centre and the State in the coming elections.
He reiterated that the ‘Chowkidar’ (read Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has snatched Rs 30,000 crore of the Air Force to fill the pockets of noted industrialist Anil Ambani in the infamous Rafale deal.
“In 2014 elections there was a slogan ‘Achhe din aayenge’. Now, the slogan has changed to ‘Chowkidar……’. One ‘Chowkidar’ has defamed all the ‘Chowkidars of the country. You must have seen how the Air Force protected the country in the recent days. And, the ‘Chowkidar’ stole Rs 30,000 crore of the Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for Anil Ambani,” said Gandhi adding that the French president has also given testimony to this.
“Our PM snatches money from Air Force and gives it to Ambani. This ‘Chowkidaar’ has also been stealing money from farmers, labourers, poor workers and tribal people too. Congress had brought Land Acquisition Bill in 2013 to protect your land, jungle and water. This all belongs to you and not to Ambani…. But, as soon as Narendra Modi came to power he wanted to amend the Act. He tried thrice to change the Act in the parliament but we did not let it happen.
Finally, he asked BJP ruled State governments to make changes in the law. Today, in Jharkhand land is being snatched from tribals, farmers without their consent and is being given to BJP’s industrialist friends,” he said.
Labelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a liar, Gandhi said that he had promised to waive farmers’ loans and his party did it within 10 days of formation of government in three States. “Narendra Modi lies in every speech. ‘Chowkidar’ is a liar. He gives false promises of giving Rs 15 lakh and what not to the people. Narendra Modi has waived loans worth Rs 3,50,000 crore of 15 people in last four and half years,” he said.
“They say ‘Make in India’ but you see everywhere ‘Made in China. Unemployment is rampant in Jharkhand. Youths do not have work to do. The BJP is now cracking a joke on the poor farmers by giving them Rs 17 days per day. We have decided that as soon as we come to power we will give guaranteed minimum income to every poor person. This will be historic as no country has done this before,” said the Congress president.
Counting his party’s contribution to the country, Rahul said that Congress government brought green revolution, white revolution, MGNREGA, Right to Food, computer revolution, telephone and many other things. “What did Narendra Modi give to you in last five years – hatred, disbelief and communism? He is making every Indian fight with another by spreading hatred,” he added.