Under united Opposition, even Modi may lose Varanasi in 2019: Rahul Gandhi in Karnataka
Pegging his confidence on opposition unity, Gandhi said far from the BJP winning the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, even Modi might lose from Varanasi if his party, the SP and the BSP were united against him.
Published: 08th April 2018 05:38 PM | Last Updated: 15th April 2018 11:53 AM | A+A A-
Congress President Rahul Gandhi (File | PTI)
BENGALURU: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit all the right buttons to woo Bengalureans for the May 12 assembly polls. While giving a local spin, Rahul was also looking ahead at the 2019 general elections speaking about a ‘compassionate’ GST and PM Modi’s downfall.Exuding confidence, Rahul said forget the BJP winning the 2019 polls, even Modi might lose his Varanasi seat under a united opposition. This would be possible, he said, “simply” because opposition unity was becoming a reality.
Keeping his finger on the state pulse, he put speculations to rest by confirming that if Congress retained power in the state, Siddaramaiah, who has emerged as a regional ‘satrap’ for the party, would continue as the chief minister.
In his poll campaign trail’s Bengaluru leg, Rahul ‘promised’ a group of entrepreneurs that if Congress came to power at the Centre in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, his party would make the Goods & Services Tax (GST) “compassionate” as against the “complex” GST by the Narendra Modi-led government.
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“Modi’s policies are designed for 10-20 businessmen. Small and medium industries are being dealt a blow. We will simplify GST so it doesn’t punish you,” Rahul Gandhi told about 200 entrepreneurs. They had raised concerns over multiple slabs under GST.
At the mega rally at Palace Grounds in the evening, the Congress chief promised to protect the spirit of Bengaluru and boost brand Bengaluru. Sensing the importance of the city, which has 28 assembly segments, which constitutes about 12.5% of the total 224 constituencies in the state, Rahul was all praise for the IT capital of the country.
Terming the current poll battle in the state a clash between two ideologies, he said while Congress believes in the principles of Basavanna with “Nudidhante Nade” (practise what you preach) with the spirit of universal brotherhood, BJP led by Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah represents divisive, hate-mongering idelology.
Rahul’s clincher was to show the world his charm and popularity. This he did by connecting with the citizens, posing for selfies and enjoying a Metro ride and a hearty lunch.
