Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for the rising unemployment crisis in the country, alleging that he has “systematically” dismantled the employment system. Speaking at a rally in Assandh in Karnal district, Gandhi expressed confidence that the Congress would win the upcoming Haryana assembly election on October 5.
“The Congress is going to sweep the Haryana elections. A storm is coming and we will form the government for all,” he said.
Gandhi also accused the BJP government of “destroying” Haryana and shared stories from his recent visit to the US, where he met young people from Haryana who sought better opportunities abroad due to a lack of jobs at home.
He recounted, “I found that 15 to 20 Haryana youths were staying in one room in Dallas, Texas.” These youths described their perilous journeys through countries like Kazakhstan and Turkey, often facing exploitation from human traffickers. “One of them said it required at least Rs 35 lakh to reach the US,” Gandhi explained, noting that many borrowed money or sold their farmland to finance the trip.
Gandhi highlighted that starting a business in Haryana is not feasible, saying, “A business cannot be started in Haryana with Rs 50 lakh.” He accused the BJP government of harming small businesses with a “wrong” GST regime, alleging that “some 10-15 people want to sell Chinese products in India.”
He continued, “Take out a list of Chinese companies and see who are their partners in India. The youth of China are getting the benefits, the Chinese government and the billionaires here are getting the benefits.”
Addressing the youth’s plight, he remarked, “If a youth is poor, he cannot get a bank loan nor can he start a business, get a job, or join the Army. One after another, every door has been shut for you.”
Recalling a visit to Karnal, Gandhi shared a poignant moment when a child on a video call with his father in the US called out, “Papa, Papa come back.” Gandhi lamented, “The kid was in pain every day as he could not meet his father for 10 years… Because the Haryana government has destroyed the state.”
Gandhi also accused the BJP of attempting to undermine farmers, recalling the backlash against the three contentious farm laws that were eventually repealed in November 2021 after months of protests. “They tried to snatch from farmers whatever they had,” he said.
He claimed that farmers face challenges with the apple business in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, alleging that “the whole planning is done for 10-15 people.”
Gandhi asserted that while farmers would not receive debt relief or guaranteed crop prices, the debts of billionaires would be waived.
Referring to the allegations of sexual harassment made by women wrestlers last year, Gandhi claimed the accused was being protected.
Promising economic support if elected, he said the Congress would provide Rs 2,000 per month to women and reduce cooking gas prices to Rs 500. “Two lakh vacancies in government departments will be filled,” he added, stating that farmers would receive guaranteed crop minimum support prices.
“This fight is not for Haryana. It is a fight for the country. It is a fight to save the Constitution,” he declared.
Gandhi accused the BJP of undermining constitutional institutions, stating, “All (government) institutions are handed over to the RSS people and the whole control is of Nagpur.”
On the topic of caste census, he said, “We want to know how many Dalits, tribals, and backwards are there in the country and how many poor belong to the general category.” He claimed that among the top 250 business firms in the country, there was not a single Dalit or OBC person in management. This is the truth. That is why we said the caste census will be conducted at the national level,” he said, asserting, “I have said before, whether Narendra Modi does it or not, I will get it passed in the same House.”
Congress leaders, including MP Kumari Selja and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, were also present at the rally.