Congress will eradicate poverty in next five years: Rahul Gandhi

Hyderabad: Congress president Rahul Gandhi promised that his party, if voted to power in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, would eradicate poverty from India in the next five years.

Rahul Gandhi made the promise while addressing three public meetings at Zaheerabad, Wanaparthy and Huzurnagar on Monday. Alleging that Prime Minister Narender Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao did 'unyay' (injustice) with people during the last five years, he said that the Congress party would undo the injustice through 'Nyay' (Nyontam Aay Yojna), the Minimum Income Guarantee scheme, wherein Rs. 72,000 would be given annually to 20% of poorest of the poor in the country. "Modi made a false promise of depositing Rs. 15 lakh in bank accounts of all Indians. But Congress party does not speak lies. Note economists and our think tank have designed the 'Nyay' scheme which is totally practical. Therefore, we guarantee that Rs. 3.60 lakh will be deposited in the accounts of 20% poor people in the next five years," he said.

The Congress president also promised that nearly 22 lakh vacancies in government departments across the country would be filled by March 2020. He also promised to implement the Women Reservation Bill giving 33% reservation to women in Assemblies and Parliament. Further, he said reservation would be given to women in jobs and their Self Help Groups would be provided financial assistance. He also assured that no permissions would be required for the first three years for anyone to start a new business.

Addressing the meeting at Zaheerbad, Rahul Gandhi said that the people of Telangana have always supported the Congress party in difficult times. He said people of Medak have also elected Indira Gandhi as MP.

Attacking PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi said a 'Chowkidar' has become the Prime Minister five years ago. However, he said Modi has been serving as 'Chowkidar' of Anil Ambani, Mehul Chowkasi, Nirvav Modi and other 'big thieves'. He alleged that Modi has given away Rs. 30,000 crore of public money to Anil Ambani. His acts have changed the slogan of 'Ache Din Aayenge' to 'Chowkidar Chor Hai'. He said PM Modi has helped only 15-20 rich industrialists by giving them Rs. 3.5 lakh crore of public money which is equivalent to 10-15 years budget of MNREGA. Instead of giving promises 2 crore jobs and better prices to farmers for their produce, he alleged that Modi has only spread hatred among the people of India.

"Through 'Nyay' scheme we have decided to give Rs. 3.60 lakh to 5 crore poor families in the next five years. PM Modi did a surgical strike on poor people. But 'Nyay' will be our surgical strike against poverty," he said.

The Congress president alleged that PM Modi did nothing and just roams around in different parts of the country. "While China creates 50,000 jobs in 24 hours, Modi snatches existing 27,000 jobs. He made common people stand in long queues due to demonitisation. Have you seen ay rich individual or those having black money stand in those queues. Even an 8-year-old boy will tell that demonitisation was a disaster. All small traders and petty businessmen lost their livelihood. It was not a fight against corruption or black money. But Modi took away money from you and gave it to his rich friends and converted their black money into white," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also announced that the Congress Government would increase funding on health and education. "We will spend 6% of GDP on education. New colleges, universities and institutions will be established. Scholarships, which have been stopped by Modi Govt, will be restored. New hospitals will be set up to ensure affordable treatment for all. We will end hatred and unite the nation. Modi targets the poor, but we will attack poverty," he said.

The Congress president described Modi and KCR as partners and reminded that the Telangana Chief Minister supported BJP Government in demonitisation, GST and all other decisions. He said Modi was having the remote control of TRS and KCR. "Who is fighting against Modi? Who raised Rafale issue? Has KCR ever spoke about Rafale? Has KCR ever said Chowkidar Chor Hai?" he asked while stating that voting for TRS was like voting for BJP and RSS. Describing the verbal dual between KCR and Modi as 'election drama', he said PM Modi always attacked him in the Parliament and not the TRS. He advised people not to waste their vote by using it for TRS.

Rahul Gandhi said that the Lok Sabha elections were a fight between two ideologies. While one ideology promotes hatred and division, the other guarantees benefits for everyone. He said unemployment and farmers plight were biggest problems. However, he said PM Modi does not speak about them.

He promised that the Congress Government would provide all support to farmers and food processing units and godowns would be established close to their locations.

While addressing a meeting at Huzurnagar, Rahul Gandhi had promised safe drinking water to floride hit areas and also a super speciality hospital.

Rahul Gandhi also reminded people that it was the Congress party which created Telangana State. "Sonia Gandhi Ji has helped you in Telangana formation. Don't forget her," he appealed to the people.