Senior Congress Leader Priyanka Gandhi’s speech in Jamkhandi, Karnataka
Karnataka is a beautiful state; there is abundant nature here in the form of forests, rivers, mountains. You must be very proud of your state, Kolar gold fields are also here.
People of Karnataka are hard-working, honest… you have made this state. It is known not only in the country but all over the world. Teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, Basavanna ji have made your state. Basavanna ji talked of women’s rights centuries ago. We are very proud of you.
What has the BJP govt. in Karnataka done for farmers in 3.5 years? You work hard in heat, rain but the govt. didn’t give you any facilities. Sometimes, you must be thinking what is the benefit of your hard work. GST has been imposed on fertilisers, tractor parts, pesticides. Diesel prices have increased, quantity of DAP in a bag has been reduced.
Women are burdened with price rise. A gas cylinder costs Rs. 1,100 today, food items have become costlier. But women work hard with courage outside as well as at homes. They lift the burden of the society.
Youth haven’t got employment from government. 2.5 lakh govt. posts are lying vacant in the state… these are your posts but they have not been offered to you. You are unemployed despite being well-educated. You have hopes… you come from a state which is known in the world for its educated youth, for expertise in IT sector.
You work hard for recruitment exams but the rate for recruitment of every govt post is fixed. There was scam in recruitment for Police Sub-Inspector… your future was destroyed. What agony your parents must be going through that you don’t get what you deserve…. Money is demanded for recruitment!
1.6 crore jobs have been lost in the last 3.5 years of BJP govt. It was govt’s duty to work for public welfare but employment has decreased, 90 lakh MSMEs have shut down.
BJP govt. is known by the name of 40% Sarkara. Contractors committed suicide but no action was taken. PM didn’t even reply to the letter of Contractors’ Association. Rs. 8 cr in cash was found at the home of MLA’s son but nothing was done… rather his father took out a parade, daring the state machinery to take action against them.
BJP govt. has looted Rs. 1.5 lakh crore from Karnataka. This money could have built 100 AIIMS, more than 2,000-km 6-lane Expressway, more than 180 ESI hospitals, 750-km-long metro network, 30,000 smart classrooms or 30 lakh affordable housescould have built with that money.
But the BJP govt. was formed on the basis of fraud and this fraud continued with youths, farmers, small businessmen, women… all were cheated.
BJP govt. also cheated you in the matter of SC, ST, OBC reservation. Cong govt. had formed Nagmohan Das Committee. Four years ago, it had recommended hike in reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and for STs from 3% to 7%. There is BJP govt. for the last 3.5 years but it didn’t do anything.
When Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of hike in reservation during Bharat Jodo Yatra, BJP leaders started saying that reservation will be increased and cap of 50% will be removed. But on 14th March, 2023, BJP govt. at the Centre said in Parliament that this can never happen.
For 3.5 years, you only saw loot, fraud, lies. Now elections are near; so, top BJP leaders including PM, Home Minister, CMs from other states are coming here. But they don’t have the courage to talk about your problems because if they talk about issues concerning farmers, women, youths and issues related to development and progress… what will they say? So, they are trying that these elections are not fought on your issues.
I have seen many PMs… Indira ji, Rajiv ji got martyred for the country; I saw Narasimha Rao ji and Manmohan Singh ji working hard for the country but I have seen such PM for the first time who cries before you and says – I am being abused. I have never before seen a Prime Minister who does not care about your troubles but comes crying to you instead.
His office has made a list. No, don’t be fooled. It’s NOT list of your problems but of the alleged abuses that PM insists have been hurled at him.
Ironiclaly, their list fits in one page, if I start counting the number of abuses hurled at my family and the personal name calling that the BJP has indulged in, I might have to get multiple books published.
Show some strength Modi Ji. In public life one has to listen to some harsh things and then move ahead. Take a lesson in courage from my brother instead. My brother, Rahul Gandhi says forget the abuses he is even prepared to take a bullet for this country.
Don’t be afraid, Modi ji… such things have to be tolerated in public life. Also listen to the voice of the people. Women are struggling because of price rise… listen to them; do something for their health, for their children, for their future. Listen to the woes of sugarcane farmers. BJP govt. has been looting the youths for the last 3.5 years… listen to them.
It is the tradition of Karnataka… biggest leaders have worked amongst the people, they have bowed before public, they have respected the people. This is the foundation of our democracy… Cong laid the foundation of this democracy; this has been the basis of Cong governments.
When Cong govt. was formed in Karnataka, it had started waiving off farmers’ debt. It brought welfare schemes like Ksheer Bhagya, Pashu Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya, Arogya Bhaygya, Vidyasiri, Indira canteens for you. Yesterday, a woman in Dharwad told me that the rice being given by the govt. presently is not fit for human consumption.
We fulfilled our promises in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh. In Chhattisgarh, loans of 18 lakh farmers have been waived off. We went to the public, listened to their voice… today there is OPS in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal. Rajasthan govt. has brought Right to Health in which the govt. has to provide health facilities to the public. In Chhattisgarh, there is highest MSP for paddy in the country.
In Karnataka, we want to give some guarantees. In ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme, unemployed graduates will get Rs. 3,000 per month while diploma holders will get Rs. 1,500 per month. But first of all, 2.5 lakh vacant govt. jobs will be filled. Women will be given Rs. 2,000 in their accounts every month in ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme. 200 units of electricity will be provided free in ‘Gruha Jyothi’ scheme. In ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme, BPL families will get 10 kg. rice.
Our biggest guarantee is that the ongoing loot from the people of Karnataka will be stopped immediately and govt. will be committed to your welfare. There will be 100% guarantee of progress. Besides, women will get free travel in govt. transport buses.
Leaders of political parties make promises; you will have to see what is the truth. If you are not able to know the reality of politics, there will be much loss to the state and the country.
I am not seeking your vote; I am seeking your awareness. You evaluate what Congress has done… whether Cong has fulfilled its promises in other states. I want that you to vote for building the future of your children.
When you vote for Cong, your life will become better and your struggles will reduce. Your future, your state, your country is in your hands. Form a strong govt. which brings development. We will not break your trust.
