The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, campaigning in Haryana for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, vowed on Wednesday to abolish the Agniveer military recruitment scheme if the INDIA bloc comes to power. Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of turning India’s soldiers into laborers.
Addressing rallies in Mahendragarh and Sonipat, Gandhi also criticized Modi’s handling of farmers’ debts, claiming that the Modi government waived Rs 16 lakh crore in loans for 22 top industrialists but refused to waive farmers’ debts. He emphasized the need to protect farmers and provide them with due compensation, referencing the now-scrapped land acquisition bill and the contentious farm laws that led to widespread protests.
Gandhi argued that the BJP would change the Constitution if it remained in power, framing the election as a battle to save the Constitution and the rights of the poor. “This fight and election is to save the Constitution and reservation and rights of the poor,” he stated.
Gandhi accused Modi of creating a divide between the wealthy and the rest of the country. “The rich are growing richer, poor are getting poorer,” he said. He criticized the Agniveer scheme, claiming it was imposed by the Prime Minister’s Office and not supported by the Army. “When the INDIA bloc forms the government, we will chuck the Agniveer scheme in the dustbin, we will tear it up,” he declared.
Gandhi argued that the scheme created two classes of soldiers, with Agniveers being denied the same benefits as regular soldiers. He promised that an INDIA bloc government would waive farmers’ debts and introduce a “karza maafi” commission to ensure timely debt relief for farmers. He also mentioned a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Attacking Modi, Gandhi said the Prime Minister’s reputation has suffered, alleging that Modi is closely linked with industrialists like Adani and Ambani. “The whole nation knows Modi ji and Ambani’s partnership is running the government,” he claimed. Gandhi accused Modi of spreading hatred and suggested that the BJP intended to dismantle the Constitution and scrap reservation.
Referring to the Congress’s poll manifesto, Gandhi promised financial assistance to poor families, stating that each family would receive Rs 8,500 directly in their bank accounts. He expressed confidence in the Congress’s chances in Haryana, claiming, “A storm is brewing here. Congress ka toofan araha hai.”
Gandhi criticized a section of the media, alleging bias towards industrialists and Modi. He assured voters that no power in the world could dismantle the Constitution.
Voting for Haryana’s 10 Lok Sabha seats is scheduled for May 25 in the sixth phase of the general election.
