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Rahul targets Modi, Kejriwal over inflation Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi and Kejriwal for failing to curb inflation at Delhi Rally
Monday, 13 Jan 2025 00:00 am
News Headlines, English News, Today Headlines, Top Stories | Arth Parkash

News Headlines, English News, Today Headlines, Top Stories | Arth Parkash

On Monday, January 13, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi delivered a fiery speech at the “Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan” rally in Seelampur, Delhi, ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha took sharp digs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of failing to curb inflation and improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

“Inflation is at its peak,” Gandhi said, adding that it disproportionately affects the poor while enriching the wealthy. “Ambani and Adani do marketing for PM Modi. Have you ever heard PM Modi or Arvind Kejriwal criticize Adani? They’ve created a system where the rich thrive, and the poor suffer.” Gandhi’s remarks resonated with the audience as he painted a grim picture of economic disparity and alleged crony capitalism.

Gandhi accused the ruling BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS, of “destroying the Constitution.” Highlighting the significance of the rally’s title, he emphasized the need to protect the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. “The BJP and RSS attack Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution daily. They spread hatred, but only love will defeat this hatred in our country,” he declared. The Congress leader also drew attention to his Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he and his party members traveled over 4,000 kilometers from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to “save the Constitution.”

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AAP and Kejriwal in the crosshairs

Rahul Gandhi did not spare AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, despite the two parties being part of the INDIA bloc at the national level. Gandhi accused Kejriwal of betraying the promises made to Delhi’s citizens. “Kejriwal spread the propaganda of a clean Delhi, promised to turn it into Paris, and eradicate corruption. But what has happened? Pollution has worsened, inflation has risen, and the poor are still waiting for relief,” he said.

The Congress leader urged voters to question Kejriwal on pressing issues like reservations for backward communities and the demand for a caste census. “People should ask Kejriwal if he supports these measures. The Congress party has always stood for the welfare of all communities, and we’ll continue to do so,” he added. Gandhi appealed to voters to choose the Congress for development, reminding them of the party’s contributions during its 15-year rule in Delhi from 1998 to 2013.

Delhi Assembly elections: A high-stakes contest

The Delhi Assembly elections are set to take place in a single phase on February 5, with votes to be counted on February 8. The Congress and AAP, despite being allies in the INDIA bloc, are contesting the elections separately in the capital. The BJP, the principal opposition party in Delhi, is also vying for power in this high-stakes contest.

Delhi has been a stronghold for AAP since 2015, when the party won 67 out of 70 seats, a record-breaking mandate. In the subsequent 2020 elections, AAP retained its dominance, securing 62 seats. However, the Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi politics, has struggled to regain its foothold, failing to win a single seat in the last two assembly elections.

Gandhi’s rally aimed to galvanize the Congress’s base and position the party as a viable alternative to both AAP and BJP. “Neither Kejriwal nor BJP can bring the kind of development that Congress has delivered in the past. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again,” he asserted.

Rahul Gandhi’s speech also took aim at the BJP’s economic policies, which he claimed have widened the gap between the rich and poor. “India cannot become a country only for billionaires. People like Ambani and Adani have bought the entire nation and control all businesses,” he alleged. Gandhi’s critique extended to the BJP’s handling of public sector enterprises, which he claimed were being systematically privatized to benefit a few corporate giants.

Gandhi’s remarks come at a time when inflation and unemployment are key concerns for voters. By focusing on these issues, the Congress leader sought to highlight what he described as the government’s “anti-people” policies. “The poor are becoming poorer, and the rich are becoming richer. This is not the India we want,” he said.

Challenges for Congress and AAP

While the Congress aims to reclaim its position in Delhi politics, it faces an uphill battle against the well-established AAP and the BJP. The decision of the Congress and AAP to contest separately has led to questions about the unity of the INDIA bloc, a coalition formed to challenge the BJP at the national level.

For AAP, the elections represent an opportunity to consolidate its hold over Delhi. However, the party faces criticism over issues like pollution, inflation, and allegations of corruption. BJP, on the other hand, is banking on its national presence and promises of better governance to make inroads in the capital.

The outcome of the Delhi elections will have significant implications for all three parties, setting the tone for the 2025 Lok Sabha elections. As the campaign heats up, voters will weigh the promises and performances of each party to decide who will lead the capital in the coming years.