Congress govt will be voice of farmers & youths: Rahul Gandhi

SIKAR: Amid Narendra Modi lashing, mainly over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi tried to connect to the ex-servicemen and farmers of the Shekhawati belt, while addressing a public meeting in Sikar on Wednesday.

“You are the people who sacrifice your sons for the country. We look at you and this district of martyrs whenever such a situation arises. Do you know the reality of the PM who talks about patriotism and army?" said Rahul, who went on to attack PM Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal.

Repeating his allegations that PM had personally delivered the deal to Anil Ambani, he said, “You who send your sons to the borders in Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, why did the PM help Anil Ambani pocket Rs 30,000 crore.”

Rahul alleges that CBI director Alok Verma was removed because he had said that the Rafale deal must be investigated. “The ‘chowkidar’ was scared and hence acted at 1 am when the country was sleeping,” he said.

"Chowkidar chor hain" - a slogan coined by Rahul reflected the basis of party’s poll campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in the state. Rahul, while addressing the impressive turnout, raised the slogan several times during his speech, which was met by a thundering response from the crowd.

"It is unfortunate that one chowkidar has defamed all chowkidars in the country. We are not talking about all but only this one who wanted to be a watchman for the country. PM, who is touring the poll-bound states, is not mentioning the word 'chowkidar' or on corruption," alleged Rahul, who pointed out that PM addressed the accused in defrauding the bank, Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi as "bhai".

Speaking on Lalit Modi, the exiled former IPL commissioner, he said, "Did you know that Modi had transferred huge amounts of money to the bank accounts of CM Vasundhara Raje's son?"

The Congress president accused Modi being concerned only about 12-15 prominent businessmen, and least about the farmers.

“Like the soldiers, the farmers too make huge sacrifices but have you been what you were promised," he said, promising that if Congress comes to power, it will set up food processing units across the country - all in areas which are near to farmers.

“Our government will be the voice of farmers and youths,” he said, criticising Modi and Raje governments for failed employment promises.

Rahul added that if the party comes to power in state, for 18 hours of the day, Congress chief minister will work to generate employment for youth. “Our CM, ministers, MLAs will all listen to farmers, youths, women and even the Congress party workers," he assured, adding that all in the state of Congress stand united and will contest polls together.

The public meeting marked the end of Rahul Gandhi's two-day tour to the state.