Churu (TIP)- Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of transferring money into the pockets of industrialist Gautam Adani.
“Narendra Modi had said – if black money is not erased, hang me…During Corona, Narendra Modi told you – turn on your mobile phone torches, clang utensils. People were dying across the country, there was no oxygen or medicines. Narendra Modi came and said that COVID is here, people are dying, clang your utensils now,” Gandhi said at a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan’s Churu.
“On the other hand, here was Bhilwara model. Utensils were being clanged here and food packet was being distributed to houses in Rajasthan; medicines were being distributed and patients were being saved. Why? Because we run a government of the poor, farmers and workers…Congress party’s work is to transfer money into the pockets of the poor. They transfer money into the pockets of Adani,” he added.
During the rally, Gandhi invoked GST implementation and 2016 demonetisation move to attack the prime minister. “Here, we run a government of the poor, we protect you. Narendra Modi implemented GST. For the first time in India, farmers have to pay taxes. He did demonetisation and finished all small businessmen.”
“Wherever you see, Adani is doing some or the other business – airports, ports, cement plants, roads are all his. So, he works for the rich. He helps Adani, Adani earns money and that money is used abroad. Foreign companies are purchased,” he added.
Hailing the incumbent Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in the state, Rahul Gandhi said,”State Government has worked for you a lot…Remember one thing, if BJP Government is formed here, whatever we did – be it a pension scheme, health scheme, ?500 gas cylinder or ?10,000 for women – will all be scrapped by them and they will once again start helping billionaires. If you vote for Congress, the poor, farmers and small businessmen will be benefitted”.
Gandhi said that the party was united and would sweep the Rajasthan assembly polls next week amid murmurs of infighting within the state unit. “We aren’t just seen together. We are together and will be together,” Gandhi said in capital Jaipur, in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy and rival Sachin Pilot.
The Congress leader made the remarks before leaving for Tara Nagar in Churu to address a rally. Gehlot, Pilot and Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra accompanied Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi’s comments assume significance amid speculation over a truce between Gehlot and Pilot. In 2020, Pilot, who was then Deputy Chief Minister, and 18 Congress MLAs loyal to him led a revolt against Gehlot.