New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday announced that his party will provide free electricity to farmers as well as 300 units of free electricity to general consumers in Gujarat if voted to power.


Addressing a gathering of booth-level Congress workers in Ahmedabad, Rahul Gandhi said that the grand old party will waive off farm loans of up to Rs 3 lakh if Congress forms government in the state.


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"Sardar Patel was the voice of the farmers... BJP on one side makes his tallest statue and on the other side, works against people for whom he fought... if we come to power in Gujarat, we'll waive off farmers' debts of up to Rs 3 lakhs, the Wayanad MP said, as quoted by news agency ANI.


"After coming to power here, Congress will give Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of the people who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll give free electricity to farmers & 300 units of free electricity to general consumers," he announced.

He also hit out at the ruling BJP over drug seizures at the Mundra airport saying, "Gujarat has become the centre of drugs. All drugs are moved from Mundra port but your government doesn't take any action... This is Gujarat model... Gujarat is one state where you've to take permission before protesting, permission from those against whom protest will be done."




Besides electricity, the former Congress president announced that the party will provide LPG cylinders to consumers at Rs 500, news agency PTI reported.

 

"I want to end unemployment... The focus will be to give employment to 10 lakh youth in Gujarat... I guarantee that the Congress party will form the government in Gujarat," Rahul Gandhi affirmed, as per ANI.

 

Rahul Gandhi's visit to Gujarat comes two days before the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', slated to be launched on September 7. The 3,500 km long foot march, covering 12 states and two Union Territories, will be completed in nearly 150 days.


Later in the day, the Congress MP will visit the Sabarmati Ashram where he will attend a prayer meet and seek the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi ahead of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.


The Wayanad MP had last visited the state on May 10 when he addressed tribals in Dahod town.


Notably, the Congress has prepared a three-month-long campaign for the Gujarat Assembly election due later this year, PTI reported citing party leaders. Both Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi will campaign during this period, they said.


Rahul Gandhi's visit comes as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party along with the Congress are gearing up for the Gujarat polls due later this year. While the AAP is trying to gain a foothold in the state with rigorous campaigns by its national convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP will try to consolidate its position and vote bank to remain in power after 27 years of rule in the western state.   





(With Agency Inputs)