Rahul Gandhi promises Minimum Income Guarantee for every poor if voted to power in 2019

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday announced that his party would ensure minimum income guarantee for every poor in the country if it returns to power after the Lok Sabha polls due in April-May. Gandhi was addressing a gathering at the 'Kisaan Abhaar Sammelan' held in Naya Raipur to express gratitude to Chhattisgarh's people, particularly farmers, for voting the party to power in the state after a gap of 15 years.

"The Congress has decided to take a historic decision. The Congress-led government is going to give a minimum income guarantee. This means each poor person in India will have a minimum income. This means there will be no hungry, poor people in India," Gandhi said. He also distributed loan waiver certificates to some of the beneficiary farmers during the function.

Soon after his address, the Gandhi scion also took to Twitter and wrote, "We cannot build a new India while millions of our brothers and sisters suffer the scourge of poverty.  If voted to power in 2019, the Congress is committed to a Minimum Income Guarantee for every poor person, to help eradicate poverty and hunger. This is our vision and our promise".

We cannot build a new India while millions of our brothers & sisters suffer the scourge of poverty.

If voted to power in 2019, the Congress is committed to a Minimum Income Guarantee for every poor person, to help eradicate poverty & hunger.

This is our vision & our promise.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 28, 2019

#WATCH Rahul Gandhi in Atal Nagar, Chhattisgarh: After winning in 2019 we'll take a step that no party has ever taken, we will ensure minimum universal basic income for the poor. No government in the world has ever taken such a decision. pic.twitter.com/V064QfsWrM

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and senior Congress leader PL Punia were among those present at the event. This was the Congress chief's first visit to Chhattisgarh after Baghel took over the office. The Congress had posted a massive victory in last year's state Assembly polls, winning 68 of the total 90 seats. Ahead of the Assembly polls, Gandhi had assured to waive farm loans if his party was voted to power in the state.