You are a politician, not a pujari: Mallikarjun Kharge targets Amit Shah

“Who are you to say that? Are you the pujari of Ram Temple. Are you the Mahant of Ram Temple? Let the Mahants, sadhu and sant talk about it. Who are you? You are a politician. Your job is to keep the country secure, maintain law and order, ensure food for people and provide farmers with adequate prices,” he said. Addressing party workers as “pyaare karyakarta” and “Babbar Sher aur Sherniyan” in context of Panipat’s history that has seen three decisive battles in the past, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the BJP over Agniveer recruitment scheme.

“BJP calls me ‘anti-Army’ but I have walked over 3,000 km and all those who aspired to join the Army are meeting me. They tell me their future has been ruined. Haryana gives 10% to Army and the youth know what it means.

For farmers, the three farm laws sounded the death knell. All farmers got together and stood against it. What did Narendra Modi say? Mujhse galti ho gayi (I made a mistake). It took him one year to realise his mistake,” Rahul said.

“Army used to promise three things to new recruits. First, we shall give you the best training and never send you at the border without training; second, we shall give you 15 years of service and if you get even slightest of injury, we shall take care of you; and third, you have given your entire life for this nation, we shall give you pension. But Agniveer has broken all these promises,” he said.

Taking note of Haryana topping the CMIE unemployment data, he said: “In the 21st century, Haryana has become the champion in unemployment. You have left everyone behind.”

A man, who identified himself as a resident of Rohtak, entered the media gallery and removed his shirt expressing solidarity with Rahul. He was also acknowledged by Rahul, who said “they question my t-shirt, there is this man who has even removed his shirt”.

Kharge said the government had promised to double the income of farmers but it has not happened. “They talked about increasing the MSP. Did that happen? No. So, they keep talking about all these things and then say it was all an election-time jumla. If it was a jumla, then they should have said it while seeking votes… after getting votes… the promise of (giving) Rs 15 lakh (to people), (creation of) 2 crore jobs, everything has become a jumla,” he added.

“So, I will say ‘mukh me ram bagal me churi’. They are roaming around with a dagger, dividing society, pitting castes and religions against each other and deepening the chasm,” he said.

Kharge said Rahul Yatra was aimed at bridging that divide. “It is not for votes. This is in the national interest… in the interest of farmers, youth, women, Dalits…,” he said.

Addressing a rally in Sabroom in Tripura, where Assembly elections are due in March, Shah on Thursday had criticised the Congress and Rahul over the temple issue and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expediting its construction