In poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Rahul Gandhi promises more benefits to farmers along with international airports

In his public speech in the Kabirdham district, Gandhi also promised "two to three" international airports to connect Chhattisgarh with the world if the Congress won the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held next year.

"We give loan waiver to farmers which the BJP will never give but the BJP gave Rs 14 lakh crore loan waiver to few industrialists,” he said. (PTI)

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In a slew of promises ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said farmers will get an increased rate for paddy procurement, landless farmers will be given an incentive hike, and food processing units will be built in each district of the state.

In his public speech in the Kabirdham district, Gandhi also promised “two to three” international airports to connect Chhattisgarh with the world if the Congress won the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held next year.

As began his speech, the Congress leader targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi criticised PM Modi for not fulfilling his promise of giving Rs 15 lakh to everyone and pointed out that he has kept the three big promises he made to the people of Chhattisgarh related to farmers’ loan waiver, paddy procurement, and monetary benefits.

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“We give loan waiver to farmers which the BJP will never give but the BJP gave Rs 14 lakh crore loan waiver to few industrialists,” he said.

Targeting the Prime Minister again, Gandhi said, “All the money that Modi gives to industrialists will be as much money I will give to farmers and labourers. He has made a mockery of this country. It seems there are only two to three people in the country”.

He also praised the Bhupesh Baghel-led government saying, “No government has worked as much as this government has”.

Gandhi added two more promises to the list of assurances made by the Congress government ahead of the elections. “At present you get Rs 2,640 per quintal. In future, we will procure rice at Rs 3,000 and this amount will keep increasing. Landless farmers will now get Rs 10,000. Earlier, they used to get Rs 7,000 which was not enough,” said Gandhi.

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“We will make a food processing unit in every district. Different types of units will be made depending on the particular items produced in the district”.

If they come to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi said they will also build two to three international airports in Chhattisgarh to connect it to the world.

“Now it is known as the country’s dhaan ka katora (bowl of rice). After the airports come up, Chhattisgarh will be known as the world’s dhaan ka katora.”

The 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly election will be held in two phases on November 7 and November 17. Votes will be counted on December 3 along with those in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Telangana.