COIMBATORE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the party will not allow the imposition of any other language in TN.
“We are currently fighting against the BJP which is against the Tamil people. For the first time in our modern history we have a central government that is against the people, culture, language and tradition of Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says ‘one nation, one leader and one language’. No language other than Tamil will be imposed on the people of TN and we will not allow it,” Rahul Gandhi said while speaking at a meeting convened to gather support for the INDIA alliance candidate A Raja at Thaloor, near Gudalur, in Nilgiris district on Monday morning.
He also accused the PM of not understanding the nature of our country.
“People of Tamil Nadu, UP, Bengal, Meghalaya and Gujarat are like flowers in a bouquet. We speak different languages. However the PM does not understand the nature of the country. We talk about giving power to the people, panchayat, labourers, farmers. However, the PM talks about one leader. It’s pure ignorance to say ‘one leader, one nation and one language’,” said Rahul Gandhi.
He also asked people to compare the election manifestos of the BJP and Congress. He remarked the BJP’s manifesto is not for the poor. “If you check the BJP’s manifesto there will not be any scheme for the poor people. But in the Congress manifesto, we have mentioned a woman member in the family will get `1 lakh in a year, i.e., Rs 8,500 per month. We will double the wages for MGNREGA and anganwadi workers,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“At the same time, the BJP has promised to conduct the Olympic games and send someone to the moon. This is the difference between the BJP and the Congress. They want to get rid of the Constitution so they can ensure people in Tamil Nadu don’t speak Tamil anymore,” alleged Rahul Gandhi.
Later in the day, Rahul Gandhi also interacted with the students and faculty at a private arts and science college. Earlier, election officials checked the helicopter in which Rahul Gandhi travelled to Thaloor, near Gudalur.