Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Centre’s policies, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is driving India looking at the rear-view mirror that has caused several accidents such as demonetisation, ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ (GST) and Rafale deal scam.
In a Siddaramaiah vs Modi narrative in poll-bound Karnataka, Mr. Gandhi kicked off the Janaashirwada Yatra with a word of advice to the latter to “learn from the Karnataka Chief Minister on how to drive by looking forward.” This was met with cheer from the crowd at the Municipal Grounds here.
Criticising the Prime Minister for not answering on issues such as unemployment, farmers’ suicides and Rafale deal, Mr. Gadhi said Mr. Modi during an hour-long speech in Parliament spoke only of the Congress and past history. He has not spelt out his plans to take India forward, he said.
Noting the NDA government’s silence on Rafale deal with France, Mr. Gandhi alleged that Mr. Modi snatched a contract from Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. (HAL) and awarded it to “his friend.”
“Why did you snatch the deal from HAL and award it to your friend? Why did you destroy the bright future of Bengaluru youth? What is the price of each fighter jet? Did PM Modi seek permission from the Cabinet committee on security?” Mr. Gandhi asked, and told the Prime Minister to learn lessons from Mr. Siddaramaiah on how to run the government.
He accused the Prime Minister of helping corporates by providing land, power and water at highly subsidised prices in Gujarat. Incentives amounting to ₹33,000 crore were given Tata Company for manufacturing Nano car in Gujarat, but the NDA government has given merely ₹55,000 crore for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, he said. In contrast to the Union budget, the Karnataka government had allocated ₹27,000 crore for SC, ST welfare, the AICC president said.
The BJP government has been telling only lies and not delivering any promises it made during the 2014 poll campaign. “Did any of you get ₹15 lakh in your bank accounts?,” Mr. Gandhi asked.
On corruption, Mr. Gandhi said Mr. Modi was delivering his speech sitting beside former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who was jailed in the alleged corruption case. The previous BJP government in Karnatka broke the record in corruption, he said.
Former BJP MLA Anand Singh, who joined the Congress recently, was given a Congress shawl by Mr. Gandhi. Independent MLA of Kudligi Nagendra and JD(S) MLA Bheema Naik were present. Mr. Nagendra presented a statue of Valmiki in silver to Mr. Gandhi.
Emotional connect with Ballari
Noting his emotional connect with Ballari district, AICC president Rahul Gandhi said: “I will not forget the district, which gave political birth to my mother.” Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi was elected from Ballari in 1999 to the Lok Sabha by contesting against Sushma Swaraj of the BJP. But Ms. Ganhi retained the Amethi seat and vacated the Ballari seat. “You call me any time. I will come here (Ballari),” Mr. Gandhi said.
Emphasis on H-K districts
The Congress leader noted the party’s role in according special status to Hyderbad-Karnataka districts under Article 371 (J) of the Constitution. “The region is now receiving allocation of ₹4,000 crore per year against a meagre ₹350 crore before,” Mr. Gandhi said. Moreover, 5,000 students have received admission in professional courses under the government quota and 20,000 people received government jobs owing to the special status that was accorded to the region.
