Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre over unemployment

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment, pointing out that he does not talk about it and black money in his election speeches any more.

Addressing a poll rallyin Hoshiarpur, Rahul Gandhi targeted the Narendra Modi-led government over demonetisation and goods and services tax, alleging that only two-three billionaires benefited from them.

Stating that his party's chief ministerial face Charanjit Singh Channi understands poverty, Rahul Gandhi said Channi will lead a government of poor people, farmers, small traders and small and medium businesses, not of 'arabpatis' (billionaires).

"We have Punjab elections before us. This is not an ordinary election. You have to elect a new government," said Rahul Gandhi.

"In the country today, in every state, unemployment is rising," Rahul Gandhi said.

At the time of demonetisation, the Modi government had said it was a fight against black money, he said, adding that the money, however, was taken out of the pockets of small traders and farmers and given to two-three 'arabpatis'.

"Modi ji used to say in his address that he will transfer Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts," he said.

"He used to say 2 crore jobs will be given to the youth, said Gandhi and asked the gathering whether they got it.

"Why doesn't Narendra Modi talk about employment and why doesn't he speak about black money nowadays," he asked.

Rahul Gandhi also took on the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party and said, "The AAP does not understand Punjab and cannot take care of the state. Only the Congress understands Punjab, and can take it forward."

Rahul Gandhi further said, "Our government is not of two or three billionaires. If our government was of two to three billionaires, then in Punjab, the Congress would not have stood against farm laws. Our government is pro-farmer that is why we stood with farmers."