Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a series of promises during a rally in Sakoli, Maharashtra's Bhandara district, asserting that if his party were to come to power at the Centre, it would prioritize the welfare of farmers by waiving their loans. Gandhi highlighted the pressing issues of unemployment and inflation, which, he argued, were often overlooked by the media in favor of coverage of the Prime Minister and celebrities.
He emphasized the need to address the grievances of farmers, who questioned why they did not receive the same benefits as billionaire industrialists, such as loan waivers or minimum support prices for their produce. Gandhi pledged to provide a legal guarantee for minimum support prices, along with conducting a caste census to ensure fair representation and distribution of resources among marginalized communities.
Gandhi outlined his party's vision for various sectors, including women's empowerment through an annual financial assistance scheme for those below the poverty line, and pledged to scrap initiatives like the Agnipath program, which he deemed unfavorable to the interests of the military.
Critiquing the current government's economic policies, Gandhi accused it of favoring a select few industrialists at the expense of the general populace. He vowed to redistribute wealth to benefit the poor, highlighting disparities in wealth distribution and the rise of conglomerates like Adani Group during the Modi administration.
Gandhi also criticized the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, contrasting its response with the struggles of ordinary citizens. He promised to repeal the Goods and Services Tax and introduce a simplified tax structure, along with creating job opportunities through government recruitment and youth apprenticeship programs.
In conclusion, Gandhi reassured the audience that the Congress Party would uphold its commitments and prioritize the welfare of the people over corporate interests. Sakoli, part of the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency, will see Congress candidate Dr. Prashant Padole contesting in the upcoming elections.
