Kozhikode: AICC president Rahul Gandhi, who kick-started the state-level campaign of the party for the Lok Sabha polls here on Thursday, promised that once his government is in power, they would bring 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and all the Vidhan Sabhas. Rahul also said that 33 per cent of the national jobs also would go to women.
Addressing a massive 'Jana Maha Rally' at Kozhikode beach, the Congress chief promised that his government would make a minimum income guarantee scheme for people irrespective of caste, community or state.
Gandhi went on to unleash charges on the Narendra Modi government in the Centre as well as the CPM in the state.
“I visited the families of the two young innocent victims today. The CPM killed them. They (CPM) think that they can remain in power through violence. Kerala is a land of justice. These two will get justice. Those who were responsible for their death will also face justice. Where was CPM when Kerala faced the flood? What did they do to the 10,000 affected families? They (CPM) are capable of only violence. Both the BJP/RSS and the CPM use violence while the Congress fights violence with non-violence," added Gandhi.
Gandhi alleged that Modi destroyed the country's economy with demonetisation and favoured only 15 or 20 of his friends like Adani, Ambani and Nirav Modi.
“Modi could waive off Rs 3,50,000 crore loans of the richest of the country, but the Congress can help the poor people in here. We can bring more than what he gave to his friends through the minimum income guarantee scheme, directly to the poor people's bank accounts. He (Modi) calls Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi and richest like them – 'Bhai'. He never calls a farmer, a shopkeeper or a small-scale businessman, 'Bhai'. Modi wants two different Indias. One India for these 15-20 people and the other for the rest – the poor and jobless,” he said.
On Rafale deal, Gandhi reiterated his allegations that the prime minister held parallel negotiation for Anil Ambani and the CBI chief was removed at '1.30 at night' when he tried to probe them.
“Congress will not let anyone to steal from this country, even if he is the prime minister. We are going to bring justice for the (Indian) Air Force. Modi changed the Rafale deal, snatched and gave Rs 30,000 crore of the Defence to Anil Ambani,” he said.
Hitting out at Modi, the congress president said the job of the Prime Minister was not to impose his 'Mann ki Baat' but to listen to the 'Mann ki Baat' of the people.
Gandhi alleged that Modi had destroyed all institutions of the country.
"The Congress party's voice is that of the country and is an instrument for the people because we listen to all and it's not the voice of 'one person' or of a particular community or religion," he said.
"The Congress does not impose its thoughts on the people, but listens to all.
He also referred to farmer suicides in Kerala and said when farmers ask for loan waivers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "laugh at them."
KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran presided over the function. AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Mukul Wasnik, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, former chief minister Oommen Chandy, IUML state president Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal, MPs M K Raghavan, K C Venugopal, E T Mohammed Basheer and P K Kunhalikutty attended the event.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi visited the families of Kripesh and Sarath Lal, the two youth Congress activists who were brutally killed allegedly by CPM workers last month.
He also met the parents of slain youth Congress worker Shohaib at Kannur airport.
