'False dream, won't cut any ice': BJP slams Rahul Gandhi's minimum income scheme promise

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday termed as “false dream” Congress party President Rahul Gandhi's promise of providing Rs 72,000 annually to five crore families if voted to power. Alleging that the Congress approach has been “anti-poor”, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the false promise won’t “cut any ice”.

“Today Rahul Gandhi announced Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme. Indira Gandhi had raised slogan of 'Gareebi Hatao' in 1971. We thought poverty had been removed but nothing happened. Rajiv Gandhi was PM, he said I send Re 1 from Delhi and only 15 paise reaches villages,” said Prasad.

“This showing of false dream to the people of India, is not going to cut any ice because the Congress record of 55 years has always been anti-poor,” he added.

Earlier today, Rahul, in a big poll promise that he described as a “groundbreaking” measure to end poverty, said that 20 per cent families in poorest of the poor category will be given Rs 72,000 each annually as a minimum income.

Making the announcement at a press conference, Gandhi said, "The time for change has come". Five crore families and 25 crore people will directly benefit from the scheme, he claimed, terming it is a "final assault" to eradicate poverty in the country.

"The final assault on poverty has begun. We will wipe out poverty from the country," he said.

"I promise that there will be justice for the poor. The Congress guarantees that 20 per cent families belonging to poorest of the poor category in India will be given Rs 72,000 each annually," he said.

The Congress chief termed it a "historic day", saying the Congress had launched its final assault on poverty on the day.

"5 crore of the poorest families in India, will receive Rs 72,000 Per Year. #NyayForIndia is our dream and our pledge. The time for change has come," he later said on Twitter.