Rahul Gandhi at Nahan rally: 8500 monthly support for women, targets Modi over corporate ties

At a rally held at Cougan Ground in Nahan, Rahul Gandhi delivered a powerful speech, continuing his consistent critique of Indian corporate giant Adani, who has close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi accused the Modi government of unfairly favoring Adani and Ambani, alleging that public assets, the apple trade, and major infrastructure projects like airports and lands have been handed over to these corporate houses.

Gandhi emphasized how public resources have been diverted to benefit a few wealthy individuals. He claimed that the Modi administration has transferred around Rs 2,20,000 crore to Adani by providing loan waivers. He also alleged that funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) have been redirected to support 22 large corporate houses, leaving ordinary citizens to suffer. According to Gandhi, the government has created 22 billionaires, contrasting sharply with his party’s promise to create millions of millionaires by directly aiding the poor.

In his speech, Gandhi introduced the Mahila Naya Scheme Lakhpati Deedi, a significant initiative set to launch on July 8, 2024. This scheme aims to provide every poor woman, particularly housewives who work tirelessly, with Rs 8,500 per month. Gandhi emphasized that this financial support would uplift millions of women across the country. He promised that a list of the poorest families would be compiled, with one woman from each family receiving the benefit.

Gandhi also focused on the challenges faced by farmers, particularly those in Himachal Pradesh. He promised to enact a law to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers and pledged to waive their loans. He criticized the Modi government’s policies, which he claimed have adversely affected apple growers in Himachal. According to Gandhi, unfair pricing and market control by Adani and Ambani have led to significant losses for apple farmers. He argued that these issues stem from the Modi government’s favoritism towards these corporate giants.

Gandhi continued his attack on Modi by highlighting the extensive influence Adani has acquired under the current administration. He mentioned that Adani has taken control of major airports, including those in Mumbai and Lucknow, and that Indian Ordnance Factory’s weapon manufacturing has also been handed over to Adani. This concentration of resources and power in the hands of a few has been detrimental to the broader population, Gandhi asserted.

The rally also saw Gandhi touching on personal connections, particularly the bond between his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, and the people of Himachal Pradesh. He reminded the audience that Priyanka now resides in Shimla and assured them that both he and Priyanka would continue to fight for their rights in Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Nahan was part of a larger campaign, with subsequent public meetings planned in Una under the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat. He aimed to garner support for party candidates in upcoming elections, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the economic and social issues faced by the people of Himachal Pradesh and the broader Indian population. The rally drew large crowds from 17 assembly constituencies, particularly focusing on the districts of Sirmaur and Solan, indicating strong local interest in Gandhi’s message and proposals.

In contrast to Modi’s speech at the same venue on May 24, where Modi blamed Congress for compromising national security, Gandhi’s speech targeted the Modi government for compromising national economic development. Gandhi accused the government of creating an autocratic rule that benefits a few corporate houses by handing over huge wealth and assets to them. He compared Modi’s indifference to the plight of 22,000 families affected by last year’s monsoon calamity with the staggering figure of Rs 22 lakh crore in loan write-offs granted to Adani, whom Gandhi called Modi’s friend. Gandhi criticized the state government for providing a Rs 4,500 crore package from its own resources when the Modi government did not assist Himachal despite the state seeking a Rs 9,900 crore calamity relief package.

Gandhi’s speech was in support of Vinod Sultanpuri, the INDIA alliance candidate from the Shimla reserved parliamentary constituency. During his one-day election trail in Himachal Pradesh, Gandhi also campaigned for Satpal Raizada in Hamirpur, Vivek Sharma in Kotkhlure for the by-election, Rakesh Kalia in Gagret, Subhash Chander in Badsar, Captain Ranjeet Rana in Sujanpur, Anand Sharma in Kangra, Jaggi in Dharamshala for the by-election, Vikramaditya Singh in Mandi, and Anuradha Rana in Lahaul Spiti.

According to the audience, Gandhi’s speech resonated more meaningfully than Modi’s, particularly due to Modi’s perceived apathy towards the state’s rain-affected populace and unfulfilled promises from the 2014 and 2019 general elections. The INDIA alliance appeared to have an edge, bolstered by support from CPI(M) and AAP cadres, and the fact that the Congress currently holds the government in the hill state.

Rahul Gandhi’s impressive election rally in Nahan showcased his commitment to addressing critical issues facing Himachal Pradesh and highlighted his ability to connect with the local population, potentially swaying voter sentiment in favor of the INDIA alliance candidates.