The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Rae Bareli): – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted on Monday that his family has consistently worked for the betterment of Rae Bareli, contrasting this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged preference for industrialists Adani and Ambani.
Addressing his first election meeting in Rae Bareli after filing his nomination, Gandhi emphasized his deep-rooted family connections with the constituency. He criticized the Modi government, alleging that loans amounting to Rs 16 lakh crore—equivalent to 24 years of MGNREGA funds—were waived for 22-25 top industrialists.
Rahul Gandhi highlighted his family’s long-standing commitment to Rae Bareli, citing the efforts of his grandmother Indira Gandhi, father Rajiv Gandhi, and mother Sonia Gandhi in improving local lives. Rae Bareli, considered a stronghold for the Gandhi family, has been represented by Sonia Gandhi since 2004 and was previously represented by Indira Gandhi.
In his speech, Gandhi accused the media of ignoring the struggles of farmers and unemployed youth, focusing instead on the lavish weddings of top industrialists. He promised that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, they would create a list of impoverished families and transfer Rs 1 lakh annually, or Rs 8,500 monthly, to one woman in each family.
Gandhi also pledged that an INDIA bloc government would forgive the loans of small farmers and enforce a legal minimum support price for their produce. He reiterated his commitment to abolishing the Agniveer scheme, which involves short-term recruitment in the defense forces, promising instead to offer permanent jobs with pension benefits in the armed forces.
Additionally, Gandhi proposed that young people would receive a year of apprenticeship in public sector organizations, leading to permanent government jobs based on merit. He emphasized that these measures are designed to provide sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
Rae Bareli is scheduled to vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20. The BJP has nominated Uttar Pradesh minister Dinesh Pratap Singh to contest the seat against Rahul Gandhi.