Jan Aakansha rally: After minimum income for poor, Rahul Gandhi promises farm loan waiver across India

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday addressed the 'Jan Aakansha' rally, the first public meeting organised by the party at Patna's Gandhi Maidan in nearly three decades. Apart from the Gandhi scion, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, his Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh counterparts - Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav were among other leaders who attended the rally in Bihar's capital city Patna.

Taking a dig at the Narendra Modi-led BJP government during his address, the Congress president said, "Our chowkidar is a thief. He goes to France, US and England, and engages in scam arm deals". He also accused the prime minister of insulting the farmers by announcing Rs 17 per day income support in the Interim Budget 2019.

Gandhi also promised to waive off farm lone across the country if the party comes to power in 2019. It is widely believed that the promises of farm loan waiver made by Rahul Gandhi helped the Congress to sweep three Hindi heartland states - Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2018.

Addressing the gathering, the Congress chief further vowed to elevate Patna University to a central university if the Congress returns to power at the Centre in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019. "Bihar used to be known for its quality education in Patna and Nalanda universities, but now Bihar is known for its high rate of unemployment", Gandhi said while accusing the government of depriving the state of opportunities in terms of jobs and education.

Rahul said the Congress will also construct open food processing factories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where the party was voted to power in the recently concluded Assembly Elections 2018.

LIVE: Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses #JanAkankshaRally at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. https://t.co/9jn5q71Pob

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 3, 2019

The Congress president alleged that PM Modi has given crorepatis crores of rupees in the last five years and, therefore, he decided to ensure a minimum income to every poor person if he comes to power in 2019. "We will put money in poor people's accounts," Gandhi was quoted as saying by media.

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Launching a scathing attack over the government's demonetisation move, Gandhi said PM Modi decided that he does not like Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 note and thus he made the common man stand in lines to get rid of black money.

Accusing the prime minister of not fulfilling a single promise in the last five years, the Congress chief said, "Wherever PM Modi goes, he always ends up making promises and so does Nitish Ji".

In praise of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul said he is a youth leader and does whatever he promises to people in the state. To conclude his speech at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Gandhi asked the people of Bihar to ensure that the grand alliance comes to power in the state.

The Congress is part of Bihar Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) which comprises RJD, RLSP and HAM of former chief minister Manjhi.