Terming the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, (CAB) an attack on Assam and North East, Congress national president Rahul Gandhi today affirmed that his party will not allow this Act to be passed.
“The CAB is an attack on your language, ideology, identity. People from Assam had come to me and explained how it is an attack on you. And I said firmly that we won’t let it (CAB) be passed,” Gandhi said, addressing an election rally at Bokakhat, under Kaliabor Parliamentary Constituency, in eastern Assam.
Referring to BJP national president Amit Shah’s assertion that the BJP will pass the CAB, he said, “The murder-accused Amit Shah has remarked that CAB will be passed. Congress will not allow this attack on North East. Congress will not allow CAB to be passed.”
Targeting the RSS, Gandhi said, “Assam is under attack of Nagpur and RSS. The language, history, culture of Assam is being attacked by RSS. Their sole aim is to take away money from the poor and put it in the pockets of 15-20 people.”
“But Congress’ aim is to put money in the pockets of the poor. Let Modi stand as ‘chowkidar’ to Anil Ambani, we will stand with the farmers, small businessmen, women, the most marginalized,” Gandhi added.
Gandhi, visiting the state for the first time since declaration of General Elections, further assured of restoring Special Status for NE, special industrial promotion policy for the region and reinstating Planning Commission.
Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “Modiji speaks lies the whole day. Whatever he says, it’s a lie.”
Pointing to the crowd, he asked, “Did anyone present here get Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts as promised by Modiji? He gave away Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani, but not one rupee to a common man.”
Stating that the annual layout for MGNERGA for the entire country is Rs 33,000 crore, he alleged that Modi gave away as much money (Rs 30,000 crore) to only Anil Ambani in the guise of the Rafale fighter jet deal.
Promising Rs 72,000 per annum to the poorest 20% families in the country whose monthly income is less than Rs 12,000, Gandhi said, “We arrived at this figure of Rs 72,000 per year, which translates into Rs 3.60 lakh in five years, after wide consultations with top economists. When we form the government, we will make a list of the beneficiaries, irrespective of their religion, caste, ideology, and ensure that they get the money. And this money will be deposited in the women’s accounts.”
“Modiji had asked us from where will the money come. It will come from the pockets of likes of Ambani. You (Modi) stole our money and put it in their pockets, we will take from them,” he added.
Questioning where are the two crore jobs every year promised by Modi, Gandhi pointed that unemployment was highest in 35 years and promised of filling all 22 lakh government vacancies within one year of coming to power.
He also criticized the GST, calling it ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’, and assured of brining simplified tax system to ease the load from the people.
Gandhi further alleged that Modi’s government failed to keep its promise of waiving farmers’ loans and fixing Minimum Support Price for crops, leading to farmers’ suicides in the country.
Taking a jibe at Modi’s ‘chowkidar’ comments, Gandhi said, “Earlier, the slogan was ‘ache din ayenge’ (good times will come). Now, whenever, one says ‘chowkidar’ (watchman), the reply comes, ‘chor hai’ (is a thief).”
“There is no need for chowkidar for the unemployed, farmers, poor familis’ houses. Chowkidar is only for rich, for Anil Ambaanni, Mehul Chokshi, Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallaya,” he added.
Terming this election a fight between ideologies, Gandhi said, “On one side you have Modi, RSS, BJP, which wants to divide India and spread hatred. On the other side, there is Congress and others who are working to bring everyone together and spread brotherhood.”
Urging the people to vote for Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi, who is seeking re-election from Kaliabor, Gandhi added, “The Congress should win all 14 seats in Assam”.
Gandhi, who flew to Bokakhat in a special helicopter after attending an election rally at Dimapur, will address another meeting at Lakhimpur in northern Assam today.
Assam will go to the polls in three phases for its 14 seats on April 11, 18 and 23, with Kaliabor among the five constituencies where polling will be conducted in the first phase. (UNI)
