Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, accused BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi of being discourteous to his opponents, adopting double standards on corruption, and favouring select industrialists.
Speaking at a rally in Bathinda on Monday, in support of Congress and People’s Party of Punjab candidate Manpreet Singh Badal , Rahul said just two-three industrialists benefited under the NDA regime, which they called ‘India Shining’. “Big government-owned companies worth thousands of crores were gifted. Balco, a government-owned company, was given to a friend of late union minister and BJP leader Pramod Mahajan,” Rahul alleged.
Rahul accused Modi of doling out favours to select corporates, stating that he handed over 45,000 acres of land to Adani group at a rate of `1 per metre. Tearing into Modi’s much-touted Gujarat model, he said financial benefit to the tune of `26,000 crore as power waiver was given to an industrialist. A total benefit of `35,000 crore was handed over to Adani, he alleged.
“Even if we talk about our opponents, we talk with love and respect. We never use harsh words or an angry tone. But, wherever the opposition go, they cannot speak any good, nor they can do any good for others,” he stated. Rahul said that the BJP tried to portray as if nothing was happening in Gujarat for the last 60 years. “Gujaratis built the state. Women of Gujarat gave Amul brand..Gujaratis and Punjabis are renowned for their hardwork..But, according to the opponents, you did nothing. According to them, for the last 60 years,the people of India did nothing,” Rahul said.
“Now, Modi says he will do everything. He says he has built Gujarat and will build the country. He does not feel the need to ask anybody, as if he has all the knowledge,” he said.