New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, back from a mysterious two-month sabbatical, lashed out at the NaMo-led government in the Lok Sabha on Monday evening in a debate on the agrarian crisis in the country.
It was his first speech in the present House, which was constituted last year after the May national elections. That also means that was his first speech ever from the Opposition benches.
Gandhi, one of only 44 Congress MPs in the lower house, was conspicuously and controversially absent in the first part of the crucial Budget session. As the session began, his party explained that the party’s vice-president had taken leave of absence to “introspect.”
He returned only after Parliament had adjourned for a break, after extending his leave several times.
In past sessions Gandhi, a lawmaker since 2004, has not distinguished himself for stellar attendance in Parliament. Nor is he known for prolific participation in Parliament debates – his speeches in the house have been few and far between.
On Sunday, Gandhi made a public address after months, seeking to focus blame and anger from rural distress at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally of about 70,000 farmers at Delhi’s Ramlila grounds. In an aggressive 22-minute speech, Gandhi attacked the PM Modi and his BJP government over its proposed changes in the law to acquire land for industrial and infrastructure projects.
The Congress leader alleges that the government’s land acquisition bill is anti-farmer; his party has vowed to stall its passage in Parliament. The BJP has hit back, dismissing Sunday’s rally as an attempt by the Congress to “re-launch” Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi is widely tipped to take over from his mother Sonia Gandhi as party president soon and Sunday’s rally was seen as an attempt at regaining momentum, especially after his foreign break evoked rebellious grumbling from party colleagues that he was a part-timer with dulled political instincts. The Congress hopes Gandhi will lead a reversal in fortunes after its humiliating defeat in the national elections last year and multiple state elections since.
Here are the highlights of his speech:
* The farmer gave us green revolution.
* Green revolution happened because farmers were given abundant credit and were given an MSP to sell his crop.
* The ‘achche din’ government has failed the country on minimum support price and agriculture credit
* In our time, agriculture grew. The average increase in credit was 20% each year.
* The “Acche Din” government has given only an increase of 5% MSP is where it was, agricultural credit has not been improved and agricultural growth is 1%
* I want to praise Mr Gadkari because he is one minister here who speaks the truth – he said kisan ko na bhagwan pe, na sarkaar pe bharosa karna chahiye
* Prime Minister said he will look out for the farmers. How will you strengthen the country when the foundation is the farmers?
* How much area has been affected by unseasonal rain? Are the experts right, is the PM right or is the Agricultural Ministry right?
* I have a suggestion. Why doesn’t the PM go and see for himself how much area has been affected?
* One thing is clear. This government is ignoring the farmers and doesn’t listen to labourers (mazdoor)
* You know as well as I do, that this government is one that works for industrialists
* Your corporate friends want land of our nation, you are weakening the farmers & then you will hit them with the axe of an ordinance
* It is the truth that your government is ignoring the farmers and that is why you are raising voices
*You are making a huge mistake. You are hurting the farmers and then they will hurt you