Madhya Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi bats for rights, Amit Shah for security

Rahul participated in Narmada Pujan along with Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kamal Nath and campaign committee head Jyotiraditya Scindia on the banks of the river at Gwari Ghat. A few posters hailed him as ‘Narmada Bhakt’, like his previous visits to Bhopal and Chitrakoot, where he was hailed as ‘Shiv Bhakt’ and ‘Ram Bhakt’, respectively. He also took part in a road show in Jabalpur.

Accusing the Prime Minister of making false promises such as the transfer of Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of every citizen in 2014 election campaign, Rahul said he never made a false promise since he joined politics in 2004.

He cited the loan waiver for farmers in Karnataka, a promise made by his party prior to the Assembly polls in the southern state, to make his point. “You will have to waive farmer loans,” Rahul said he told Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, adding that he is aware that waivers are not a solution to farmers’ woes but it was justified as they need help.

Insisting that the Congress knows what it takes to effect change, he cited the Green Revolution, White Revolution, telecom revolution as initiatives that took the nation forward. He also accused the NDA government of scuttling schemes and laws like MGNREGA, tribal Bill and Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act. Referring to the UPA rule, he claimed that land was acquired by taking permission from panchayats, unlike now when bureaucrats make the decision.