Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday upped his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poll-bound Rajasthan saying demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax, which he referred to as “Gabbar Singh Tax”, had destroyed India’s economy.
Addressing a rally in Dholpur, the home turf of BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Gandhi said the prime minister had declared during elections that he wanted to be a ‘chowkidar’ but never clarified who he wanted to guard. The Congress president alleged that he benefited 15-20 industrialists of the country instead of farmers.
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Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the state, named several industrialists, including Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani, and said the PM benefited them but did not take care of farmers and youths.
Gandhi claimed the government had destroyed the country’s economy with decisions like demonetisation and GST.
The Congress leader alleged that the prime minister benefited his industrialist friend in Rafale deal and did not speak a single word when he raised the matter in Parliament.
Declaring that the Congress will form the next government in Rajasthan, Gandhi said that the Modi government had not waived a single penny of farmers’ loans.
“A month before the elections, Raje said she will give free electricity to the farmers. I want to ask her what was she doing since the past four-and-a-half years,” Gandhi said.
“Your Prime Minister has not waived even a single penny of the farmers’ loans. When the opposition demands he waive off the loans, he does not utter a word.”
The Congress chief expressed confident about Congress being able to form the new government in the state as its cadres were working hard and together to win.
“The Congress is going to form a government here — a government which will be of the poor, farmers, small businessmen, youths and party workers.
“Last time, I know the ministers did not pay much attention to the demands raised by the workers but I will assure you this time the doors of the Chief Minister and Ministers will be open for both the general public and the party workers. The party is working hard and together to win,” he added.
The Congress chief, who is holding a 150 km road show in eastern Rajasthan, will visit Bikaner Wednesday.
Assembly elections in Rajasthan will take place in a single phase on December 7. The term of the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is set to expire on January 20, 2019.
(With agency inputs)