HT Bureau
SHILLONG, Feb 21: Former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi has slammed the BJP-led government on Wednesday for plunging the nation into corruption including Meghalaya by doling out favours to businessman Gautam Adani and completely selling out public interests.
Gandhi asserted that the BJP government is abusing power by looking after the interests of big businesses and stays least concerned about the common man.
Addressing a massive rally in Shillong, Gandhi took pot-shots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for favouring his acquaintance Gautam Adani to clinching crucial business deals in India and abroad. He termed the BJP government as anti-poor and anti-common man.
“The close friend of Prime Minister Gautam Adani gets gifts every time Modi visits a country. The Prime Minister visits Bangladesh, Adani gets a gift in the form of business contracts. Mr Modi visits Australia and Adani gets a gift. Prime Minister goes to Sri Lanka, Adani gets a gift,” said Gandhi asserting that Adani controls the defence & foreign relations of India as the crony capitalist controls the ports, airports, coal mines and even cement industry of India.
Gandhi also launched a scathing attack on the BJP and dubbed the saffron party as anti-Tribal and anti-minority outfit.
“The RSS has captured all the state institutions and they are attacking the people and their faith each passing day. They do not respect the culture and faith of minorities and tribals. They prefer coercive politics where they bully those who refuse to budge to their conditions,” said Gandhi asserting the anti-conversion bill passed in Karnataka in January 2021 has put the entire Christian community and minorities in fear.
Speaking about how the media narrative is controlled by the BJP government, Rahul Gandhi elaborated that this control encouraged him to undertake Bharat Jodo Yatra to connect with the aspirations of common people, who are burdened by inflation & unemployment.
Gandhi also asserted that he will ensure the Congress party fulfils all its commitments that it has made in its election campaign to make Meghalaya a ‘Five Star’ state after they come to power.
“Congress party has promised to provide direct monthly transfer of Rs 3000 to every Single BPL mother so that she can provide nutritious food and good education to her children. The party has also promised to provide employment to every eligible person from every household in the state,” Gandhi said elaborating Congress party’s vision for a stronger and progressive Meghalaya. Rahul Gandhi spoke about five commitments & the choice of INC candidates, highlighting that INC understands Meghalaya’s aspirations & will deliver upon its commitments once elected to power.
Gandhi also fired salvos at TMC and termed it as B team of the BJP.
“Is TMC a silent partner of the BJP? Was the entry of TMC in Goa only a charade done to divide the votes against the Congress? Is TMC attempting something similar in Meghalaya? Is it intentionally going to cheat the people of Meghalaya also?” asked Gandhi asserting that TMC must clarify why it is silent about the BJP in Meghalaya.
He insisted that there is substantial anger against the NPP and its MDA partners including BJP and UDP. He asserted that people of Meghalaya don’t trust BJP as they are fearful about them being stripped out of their protective ethnic and indigenous rights.
Gandhi asserted that the TMC has the greed to be in power without any political ideology and is compromised with BJP against the interest of the people of Meghalaya.
Gandhi emphasised that the Congress is the only party for Meghalaya. It was responsible for the creation of the state to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya. He asserted that the Congress party has always respected the uniqueness and diversity of the people of the state and implemented the sixth schedule for the protection of cultural diversity and security of the people of Meghalaya.
The Congress has fielded candidates in all 60 seats for the February 27 elections. The votes will be counted on March 2.
