Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrived in Karnataka’s Bidar to kick-start the campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election on Monday, 13 August,
Gandhi also launched the 'Jana Dwani Yatra' following a public address in Bidar, Deccan Chronicle reported. He was accompanied by about two lakh workers from various assembly segments.
Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, Dinesh Gundurao, Siddaramaiah, G Parameshwar and DK Shivakumar also attended the programme.
During his address, the Congress president stressed on issues concerning farmers and women. He also brought up the controversial Rafale deal and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate on it.
“I challenge PM Modi for a debate on the Rafale Deal. He will never accept this challenge, as he has been lying to the nation on the deal. Why is he running away from questions?” Gandhi said at the Jana Dwani rally organised in north Karnataka.
In a scathing attack on the Modi government, Gandhi said, "Chowkidar hi bhaagidar hai. (This watchman is a collaborator)," and accused the prime minister of "stealing" taxpayers' money and giving it to his "friend" whose firm he said bagged a contract in the controversial deal.
The Congress President also alleged that Anil Ambani was there with PM Narendra Modi in France when the Rafale deal was signed. “Money and jobs have been snatched from the youth of Karnataka and given to Ambani,” he said.
He also accused the defence minister of lying to the nation.
Nirmala Sitharaman ji has lied to the youth of the nation. She said India and France have a secret pact and so they can’t reveal the price of the Rafale aircraft. I asked the President of France if this was true and he denied it.
Focussing most part of his speech on attacking Modi, the Congress chief said he was "not the prime minister of the country but the prime minister of 15 extremely rich businessmen."
Gandhi also hit out against Modi on incidents of crimes against women and said that while the PM gave the slogan of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', he did not mention who the girl needs saving from.
"Rape happens in Uttar Pradesh and BJP leader is caught. When small girls in Bihar are raped, we see BJP leaders hanging around there. However, the prime minister does not speak a word on it," he said.
(Inputs from PTI)
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