Rahul Gandhi: Chowkidaar PM Modi spoke a lot, forgot people’s hunger

Citing a global survey on hunger that ranked India 103 among 119 nations, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday, October 15, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying while he gave speeches and “enjoyed life”, he forgot to give food to the people.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Welthungerhilfe, ranked India 103, clubbing its position with Nigeria in the index, according to media reports.

"The chowkidaar (watchman) gave a lot of speeches, but forgot about people's stomach. Did a lot of Yoga and enjoyed life, but forgot to give food to people," Congress president Gandhi said in Hindi on Twitter.

The Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, who was campaigning in Datia in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, October 15, said, “The government that the Congress will form in the state will be responsive to farmers, small traders, women and party workers.”

Gandhi, on a two-day visit of Madhya Pradesh ahead of next month's Assembly polls, reiterated his promise that the Congress, if elected, will waive off farm loans within 10 days of government formation. He exuded confidence that the party would return to power in Madhya Pradesh after the November 28 Assembly elections.

Rahul Gandhi also hit out at Narendra Modi, and accused the Prime Minister of insulting the people of India.

“The Prime Minister said from the ramparts of the Red Fort that the nation had been asleep for 70 years,” said Rahul he said ahead of next month's Assembly election in Madhya Pradesh. “This is an insult to every section of the society.”

On August 15, Modi had criticized the Congress that has ruled for long years since India's Independence in 1947. He had said that India was earlier a sleeping elephant, which had woken up and started running.

President Donald Trump finds India and China competing with the US, Gandhi said at a public meeting. "We have reached this stage because of the contribution of farmers, workers, small businessmen and women over the past 70 years."

He called the Modi government at the Centre a “government of the country's top 15 businessmen”. “The Centre is not ready to waive off loans of farmers but has done so for 15 top businessmen. The Congress had waived off farmers' loans,” Gandhi added.

Terming the matter of India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index, “very serious”, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said it was a matter of shame that India was ranked 103rd among 119 countries in the global hunger index. The NDA government should set its priorities right, he said.

Gehlot targeted the prime minister on India's ranking in the index, claiming Modi and his team never talked about hunger. If they do not even acknowledge it how will they make policies to feed the people, he said.

"India stands at a lowly 103rd position among 119 countries, in GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX report, which is a matter of shame. This is a very serious concern and one which needs urgent attention. But for NDA govt, the grave issue of hunger doesn't exist.

"Modi ji or his Ministers never talk about poor, hungry people. If they do not even acknowledge problem then can we expect them to make policies to feed hungry mouths. NDA needs to set its priorities right. 1st priority should be to eradicate hunger and provide food to all," Gehlot tweeted.

In 2017, India stood at the 100th rank among 119 countries, while it was 97th in 2016. India was behind its neighbours Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, which stood at 67th, 72nd and 86th ranks in the index for 2018, as per a report.

(with inputs from agencies)