In Punjab's Ludhiana, Rahul Gandhi promises to wave farmers' debt if INDIA bloc voted to power; remembers Moosewala
PTC Web Desk: In the run-up to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed a poll rally at Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana, in support of party candidate from Ludhiana Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
At the same time, with the picture of Sidhu Moosewala in the backdrop, Rahul Gandhi paid tributes to the late singer on his second death anniversary. His father Balkaur Singh was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced a series of ambitious promises aimed at the agricultural sector, should the INDIA bloc come to power in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking in support of Congress candidate Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Rahul Gandhi vowed to waive farmers' debts and provide a legal guarantee on MSP.
Rahul Gandhi described the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a crucial juncture for the nation, describing it as a fight to preserve the Constitution. Showing a copy of the Constitution, the Congress leader said, "This is not just a book; it is the voice of the poor."
He accused the ruling BJP of intending to undermine this vital document, alleging that they plan to "scrap and change" it if they won the LS election. The Congress leader alleged that the BJP was reluctant to provide a legal guarantee on MSP, which was a disregard for farmers' welfare.
Besides debt waiver and MSP guarantee, Rahul Gandhi introduced the Mahalakshmi scheme, aimed at empowering women and supporting families. He took a dig at current crop insurance scheme, claiming it disproportionately benefits a handful of insurance companies rather than the farmers it is supposed to protect. "Our government will bring a farmer-friendly crop insurance scheme," he pledged, pointing out that the current policy serves only 16 insurance companies while leaving many farmers unprotected.
Rahul Gandhi also targeted the BJP's Agnipath scheme, promising that an INDIA bloc government would abolish it. "We will scrap it and throw it into the dustbin," he declared, receiving a wave of applause from the gathered crowd.
Turning his attention to local issues, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the escalating drug problem in Punjab, calling for stringent measures to tackle the menace. "Strict action is needed to end this scourge," he stated, reflecting the deep concerns of the region’s residents.
In his address, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring lambasted the policies of both the Union and Punjab governments, accusing them of betraying the farmers. Warring argued that despite the overwhelming support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, which secured 92 seats in the state Assembly, the government has failed to deliver on its promises. "Unemployment and poverty are at an all-time high," he lamented.
Interestingly, Rahul Gandhi's speech made no mention of prominent figures from rival parties, such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, or Congress MP Ravneet Bittu.
- With inputs from our correspondent
