Rahul Gandhi announces Congress’s fourth poll promise in Karnataka: Unemployment allowance for youth

Speaking at his first rally in the state after Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said that the announcement to provide allowance to unemployed youth was in response to the concerns raised by the youth during the yatra.

“We have decided to provide Rs 3,000 per month per unemployed graduate for two years. Similarly, Rs 1,500 per month for diploma holders. This is because we understand your pain,” he said during the ‘Yuva Kranti’ rally.

“We won’t stop there. In this state, the Congress government will give employment to 10 lakh people. The 2.5 lakh vacancies in government jobs will also be filled,” he said, urging people to vote for the party in the state.

Congress leaders of Karnataka, he said, would put up a united front to fight elections. “Congress will sweep the elections in the state. Why? Because the BJP government (in Karnataka) is a 40 per cent commission government. The people of the state want to get rid of this government. We will form a government for the poor, weak and small traders,” Gandhi said.

“This is the most corrupt government in the country. I am not saying this. Thousands of youth told me this during Bharat Jodo Yatra,” the Congress leader said. Recalling his speech at the Parliament, where he spoke about industrialist Gautam Adani and how all industries of the country were allegedly being handed over to him, Gandhi said that the same was happening in Karnataka. “Only a select few who are friends of the BJP benefit from it (the government),” he said.

He also listed the corruption allegations against the government and accused the government of protecting those indulging in corruption.

Kharge said that while the police under the BJP government were seeking proof from Gandhi about a speech he made 46 days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were mum about the corruption allegations against the Karnataka government.

The Delhi Police Thursday issued notice to Gandhi seeking information on the sexual harassment victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir in January. Gandhi, during the yatra, addressed the media in Srinagar and talked about how women are still sexually assaulted in the country.

“There has never been corruption to this extent in the state. Contractors said this, not us. Why is (Union minister Amit) Shah not initiating an inquiry? Rahul Gandhi spoke to many people during Bharat Jodo Yatra and listened to their grievances. He spoke about the feedback he received during the yatra when it concluded in Kashmir 46 days ago. The police are now seeking proof (from Gandhi) about the women who were raped and the harassment suffered by them. Here (in Karnataka), contractors have given proof. Why are Shah and (PM Narendra) Modi not enquiring?” he questioned.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar said the party would release a separate manifesto for the youth. “We aim to ensure employment and employability of the state’s youth. We will also introduce a law to employ local youth in the private sector. Apart from it, we will also establish private employment exchanges to provide jobs for youth,” he said.