BJP disempowering the tribals & farmers, says Rahul Gandhi at Morena rally

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of disempowering the poor, tribals and farmers in the states ruled by the party.

Rahul--who was addressing a farmers’ rally, Sankalp Yatra, in Morena district of poll bound Madhya Pradesh, slammed BJP for allegedly exploiting farmers, Adivasis, Dalits and the minorities.

Coming down heavily on Modi government, the Congress party president deplored that the BJP had been working for securing the interest of handpicked corporates and industrialists.

“Farmers, Adivasis, Dalits and minorities are being exploited. One by one their rights are being taken away from them. On one side there is BJP, on the other side are the marginalised and the Congress party standing with them,” said Rahul.

“An amount of ₹30,000 crore given to Anil Ambani, would have helped to implement MGNREGA in the entire country. Loans of at least 15-20 industrialists, amounting more than ₹3,00,000 crore have been written off by the Modi government so far,” he claimed, wondering, “why can’t the same money be used to help the farmers and Adivasis?”

Accusing Prime Minister Modi of letting Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi flee the country, Rahul stated, “Vijay Mallya stole ₹10,000 crore. He fled to London the day after he met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. No action has been taken against Nirav Modi or Vijay Mallya. But a farmer protesting for a piece of his land is jailed…”

Talking about the worsening farm-distress and poor plight of Adivasis in the BJP ruled state, Rahul said his party after coming to power would work for the empowerment of the farmers and bring tribal rights bill into force.

“Adivasis should get benefits from forest, rivers and land. It is their right…Our intention was to empower grassroot administrations like Panchayat who are chosen by you…we stand with you and fight for your rights. BJP does not even want to have a conversation. We brought in Tribal Bill, but BJP does not want to implement it,” Rahul stated.

“Give me one example where I have made a false promise. I always fulfil my promises. We had promised to waive off farm loans in Karnataka, and we did it,” he said and added, “farm loan waiver alone will provide relief to the farmers but it will not end their woes. The solution is to transform the lives of farmers with the green and white revolution.”

We stand with the Ekta Parishad and will fight for their 10 demands, he added.