Drawing a cricket analogy, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said farmers and youth should play on the front foot without any fear. “If we play on the front foot, we will hit a sixer,” he said. “The farmers and the youth of the country need not fear anyone. They should play on the front foot at the pitch. Narendra Modiji is playing on the back foot for five years,” he said.

He said the Congress government waived loans in two days in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. “He promises to help farmers and provide jobs to the youth, but at the time of batting he plays on the back foot,” he said.

“Farmers showed their power to Modi in the recent elections. We now want to show the power of the farmers to the world. India’s biggest asset are the farmers and India’s farmers can provide food to the entire world, not only to India,” he added.

Rahul asserted that the Congress would continue to press for demand for an inquiry into the Rafale deal and formation of a JPC. “We won’t disrespect PM. But if Modi has given Rs 30,000 crores to Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal, justice will not be denied. There will be no pressure, no witch-hunting,” he said. “On what basis the contract to HAL was cancelled? Rafale deal should be probed by JPC. He gave money to Anil Ambani. How much money did you give to youths and farmers and small businesses.”

— With inputs from PTI