'BJP Doesn't Talk About Unemployment, Inflation': Rahul Slams Centre, Reiterates Cong's 'Paanch Nyay' In Rajasthan Rally

Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Congress's promises to scrap the Agnipath scheme and bring back the previous defence services recruitment system.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting, in Bikaner, on Thursday.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his election rally in Rajasthan's Anupgarh district on Thursday announced that if his party is voted to power at the Centre, they will abolish the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in defence services and reinstate the previous scheme. He also promised to waive off farmers' debts and ensure a minimum support price (MSP) guarantee for their crops.

Speaking at a public rally in support of party candidates Govind Ram Meghwal and Kuldeep Indora, Gandhi dubbed the upcoming elections as a battle between wealthy billionaires and the vast majority of Indians struggling with poverty. He emphasised the importance of safeguarding the Constitution and democracy, which he claimed were "under threat".

Gandhi highlighted the ongoing discrimination faced by backward classes, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and the economically weaker sections. He also outlined that irrespective of constituting more than 90 per cent of the country’s population, representation of the poor and their participation in different institutions of governance was nil or negligible.

He said, "For the same reason, Congress has promised to conduct an economic survey and a caste census to determine the country's resource and wealth distribution." He said that the combined wealth of 22 Indians was equivalent to that of 70 crore Indians. The best approach to address such widespread discrimination and the "unethical distribution" of resources in the nation, he said, was to conduct a caste census along with an economic and financial survey.

Congress' Five Pillars Of Justice 

The Congress leader provided details of the "Paanch Nyay," the five pillars of justice the party has pledged along with 25 guarantees. He stated that the party will first conduct an economic survey and caste census, which will serve as an X-ray of the nation's socio-economic conditions.

Secondly, he stated that there was widespread unemployment in the nation, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initial claims to have generated 2 crore jobs annually. Despite the "BJP's preference to downplay" these concerns, he said that unemployment and price increases were the two biggest problems facing the nation. The BJP, he claimed, only seeks to deflect public attention with pointless matters.

He further said, "They (BJP) doesn't talk about unemployment, inflation. Their work is to divert your attention. They don't want the issues of backward classes, farmers and poor to be shown on national and regional media," ANI quoted Gandhi as saying.

#WATCH | Anupgarh, Rajasthan: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "They (BJP) don't talk about unemployment, inflation. Their work is to divert your attention. They don't want the issues of backward classes, farmers and poor to be shown on national and regional media." pic.twitter.com/mKjBTxYLJh

— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2024

He promised to fill 30 lakh vacancies in government departments without resorting to contractual appointments, ensuring regular employment with pension benefits. He also proposed an apprenticeship guarantee for recent graduates, offering one year of apprenticeship with a guaranteed income of Rs 1 lakh. He said that if the youth do well during their apprenticeship, they will be hired in their respective companies for permanent jobs.

Addressing farmers' demands for a legal guarantee on MSP, Gandhi criticised PM Narendra Modi's response and promised to waive off their debts. He announced a significant welfare scheme wherein one woman from every poor family would receive Rs 1 lakh annually directly into her bank account, aiming to uplift millions of impoverished families across the country.

#WATCH | Anupgarh, Rajasthan: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "...The Congress Government will transfer Rs 1 lakh (in a year) to the bank account of one woman of every poor household in the country...If you are below the poverty line then every year, Rs 1 lakh (Rs 8,500 per… pic.twitter.com/6KMuvcwz10

— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2024

Gandhi reiterated the party's promises to scrap the Agnipath scheme and bring back the previous defence services recruitment system, which ensures a longer service term as well as all benefits and entitlements upon retirement and in the event of martyrdom.

Notable figures including former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Union Minister Sachin Pilot, and PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra attended the rally.