18 June,2024 11:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rahul Gandhi. File Pic
Rahul Gandhi emerged as a star campaigner and a fierce opposition as seen in the results of the recently held Lok Sabha Elections. Though the congress couldn't attain a three figure number in terms of seats won, it exceeded expectations of many winning 99 seats. The number is a leap from the party's achievement in the 2019 elections where it could bag only 52 seats. Gandhi contested from two seats, Raebareli and Wayanad, and won both of them.
As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on June 19 will turn 54 years old this year, here a glimpse of his relatively successful election season through top five statements he made whilst campaigning.
"We will form commission, waive farmer loans as many times required"
In a major promise made amid the ongoing India General Elections 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a rally in Ludhiana had said that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, they will bring a 'Kisaan Karza Maafi Aayog' and will waive the loans of farmers "as many times as required." He also said that this is the first election that is being fought to "save" the Constitution.
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A similar statement of waiving off loans was made by Gandhi in a rally in Maharashtra.
"Will remove 50 per cent reservation limit"
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that if his party is elected to power at the Center, then they will remove the 50 per cent reservation cap and increase it further.
While speaking at a rally in May in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone Rahul Gandhi said, "Modi Ji wants to end your reservation. Their (BJP) leaders have clearly said that if our (BJP) government comes, we will snatch reservations from tribals, Dalits, and backward classes, and end reservation. They are talking about snatching, Today there is a limit of 50 per cent for reservation, we will cross this limit, cancel the limit of 50 per cent, and increase your reservation, the reservation of the poor."
"Sidhu Moose Wala ka song suna hai... 295?"
Dismissing exit-poll results, Rahul Gandhi made a statement that his party will win 295 seats in the Lok Sabha Elections referencing to late Sidhu Mooosewala's song of the same name. When a reporter asked Gandhi how many seats Gandhi is anticipating to win, Gandhi asked the reported, "Have you heard the song by Sidhu Moosewala called '295'?" The video made rounds on social media.
"My family works for Rae Bareli, PM Modi for Adani, Ambani"
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said his family has always worked for the people of the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency, unlike Prime Minister Narendra Modi who works in the "interest of Adani and Ambani".
Addressing his first election meeting in the constituency after his nomination, Gandhi said in Maharajganj that he was contesting the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli seat because his family has deep links with the people here. He also addressed rallies in Gurubaksganj, Lalganj and Kishundaspur.
"Those who defected to BJP, did under fear"
RaGa's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra ended right before campaigning for the Lok Sabha Elections began in full swing. The 63-day-long Bharat Jodo Nyay Manzil Yatra, spanning Manipur to Maharashtra, culminated in a formidable show of unity on March 17. To kickstart their poll campaign, the Opposition INDIA bloc had convened at a rally in Shivaji Park, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi shared an anecdote illustrating a broader trend of individuals who defected from Congress succumbing to fear and relinquishing their fight against established power structures. He said, "I don't want to name the leader but a very senior leader, while leaving the Congress party, expressed his dismay to my mother, admitting he lacked the strength to fight these people. He is not alone; many like him have defected to the BJP out of fear."