Modi’s misrule: Rahul Gandhi to address rally on Sunday

Sunday, April 29, is when Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses his maiden public rally in the national capital after taking over the reins of the party at the Congress Plenary last month. Christened the “Jan Akrosh Rally” to give vent to the growing popular unrest and anger over the Modi Government’s misrule, the party is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a full house.

The rally will also herald the party’s election campaign for the next general election. While the election is a year away, a section of party leaders believe the Government plans to advance the election and will try to club some of the state elections due later this year with the general election.

The national general secretary of the Congress, Ashok Gehlot, said on Saturday that the country is going through unusual times. “The entire country is consumed by hatred and fear; We have never seen such times before. There is inflation, farmers and the youth feel cheated, women are not safe, lawlessness is growing, institutions like the Parliament and the Judiciary have been trampled and the Prime Minister has not been able to fulfil any of his promises.” The rally, he added, was meant to reflect the mood of the nation.

Congress sources say they expect around 200,000 supporters to attend the rally. “There is a lot of enthusiasm among the Congressmen for this rally as this is the first public rally after Rahul Gandhi was elected President of the Indian National Congress” said former Minister of Delhi Haroon Yusuf.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) which is hosting the rally has made elaborate arrangements with many firsts. DPCC President Ajay Maken appealed to Congress workers to be at the historic Ramlila Maidan by 9.30 a.m. and carry the card with bar code issued by the DPCC and their election Identity Card. The purpose of the election Identity card is to register the attendees, he explained.

“The enthusiasm among people with regard to rally is huge because the common man is angry against the misrule of the Modi regime and people want to express their anger against the government,” he said.

Congress leader Chatar Singh said arrangements for cold drinks had been made at eleven points on the way to Ramlila ground. Several committees have been formed under former Congress ministers of Delhi like Rajkumar Chauhan, Mangat Ram Singhal, Kiran Walia and Ramakant Goswami to look after various arrangements.

“Forty thousand Congressmen of Delhi have already registered themselves to attend the rally,” claimed Haroon Yusuf and added that people from Haryana, Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh are also expected to attend the rally.