The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Telangana): During an election rally in Nirmal, Telangana, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi threw down the gauntlet to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging him to remove the 50 percent limit on reservation. Gandhi vowed that if the Congress party is voted into power, they will enhance the overall quota beyond the current 50 percent threshold.
Accusing PM Modi of being against reservation and harboring intentions to snatch it away, Gandhi emphasized that increasing reservation beyond 50 percent is the biggest issue facing the nation. He highlighted the Congress party’s manifesto promise to remove the limit to ensure justice for OBCs, Dalits, and tribals.
Gandhi reiterated his allegation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are determined to dismantle the Constitution and strip away the reservation rights. He portrayed the ongoing election as a battle between two ideologies – the Congress striving to protect the Constitution, while the BJP and RSS seek to destroy it and deny the rights of the poor.
Displaying a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution, Gandhi claimed that BJP leaders have openly stated their intention to change the Constitution if they win, which would effectively bring an end to reservation. He accused the BJP of opposing the upliftment of backward classes, Dalits, and tribals.
Gandhi highlighted the Congress party’s successful implementation of guarantees in Telangana and pledged to extend similar guarantees across the country. He promised that under a Congress government, every poor family’s woman would receive Rs 8,500 per month, in addition to the Rs 2,500 currently provided to women in Telangana.
Criticizing PM Modi for causing youth unemployment, Gandhi unveiled the Congress’s ‘Pehli Naukri pakki’ scheme for the youth. Under this initiative, graduates would be guaranteed the right to a job, similar to the MNREGA right. With 30 lakh government vacancies nationwide, college and university degree and diploma holders would be provided with jobs for a year, along with a stipend of Rs 1 lakh per year. Those who perform well during this period would be absorbed into their respective departments, making India the first country to offer such a scheme and providing the world with the best-trained workforce.
Gandhi alleged that privatization of the public sector, the Agniveer scheme, and contract employment were all aimed at undermining reservation. He assured that the Congress would abolish the contract system and provide permanent jobs instead.
If voted to power, the Congress leader reiterated their commitment to conducting a caste census, which he believes would redefine the country’s politics. With backward classes constituting 50 percent of the population, along with Dalits, tribals, minorities, and the poor from the general category, Gandhi pointed out that over 90 percent of the people have no representation in any institution. The caste census would reveal the wealth distribution among these groups, marking the beginning of a new political era in the country.
Gandhi also addressed the concerns of the adivasi community, stating that they have the first right over land. He promised that the Congress government in Telangana would resolve their land issues and protect their rights.
Emphasizing the Congress’s vision to form a government of the poor, farmers, backward classes, Dalits, and tribals, Gandhi accused the BJP of spreading hatred. He claimed that the Congress had defeated the BJP’s divisive tactics in Telangana and would continue to promote love and dignity instead.