Balasore: At a massive rally in Simulia, Balasore district on Thursday during his campaign for the fourth and final phase of Odisha elections, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came down heavily on the BJD and BJP.
He alleged an unspoken coalition between the two parties and questioned why no action was taken against the Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik if he genuinely opposed the BJP.
Drawing from his own experiences, Gandhi stated that his opposition to the BJP led to 24 cases against him including defamation, loss of government residence and Lok Sabha membership, a two-year prison sentence, and 50 hours of intimidating interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate. He accused the BJP and its allies of uniting to destroy democracy and the Constitution.
Gandhi vowed to abolish the Agnipath scheme if elected, calling it disrespectful to martyrs and soldiers. Every soldier is entitled to receive a pension, get canteen facilities, get proper training and get the dignity of ‘Saheed’ in case they die in the line of duty, said the Wayanad MP.
Gandhi promised to fill 30 lakh government vacancies, legally ensure MSP for farmers’ crops, increase MGNREGA wages to Rs 400, double income for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, provide employment for youth under ‘Pehli Naukri Pakki Scheme’, deposit Rs 8,500 in women’s accounts and assured Rs 1 lakh income for a one-year graduate or diploma apprenticeship.
Comparing Odisha’s situation to the Centre’s alleged billionaire promotion, he suggested a figure called “Pandian” controlled the state government for wealthy interests.
Gandhi expressed confidence the INDIA bloc would assume power on June 4 and implement these pro-people, economy-stimulating schemes to increase purchasing power, demand, manufacturing and jobs.
