Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally during the second leg of the Vijay Sankalp Yatra from Bahadurgarh to Sonipat, accused the BJP government in Haryana of “snatching” employment opportunities from the youth. He blamed the BJP for rising inflation and job losses, particularly pointing to the Agnipath scheme as a move to deprive Agniveers of pensions and benefits.
During the rally in Sonipat, Gandhi claimed, “Pensions are for all soldiers, except those with the Agniveer tag.” He criticized the scheme for stripping Agniveers of their pension, family canteen benefits, and martyr status.
A day before the rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Agnipath scheme. He said Rahul Gandhi has misunderstood the scheme, which he believes will rejuvenate the armed forces by keeping them young. Shah urged the public not to be misled by Gandhi’s remarks.
At the Sonipat rally, Gandhi again referenced his visit to the US, where he claimed to have met 15-20 youths from Haryana living in a cramped room. He blamed the BJP for forcing these youths to embark on illegal “Dunki” journeys to America due to unemployment back home. He detailed the perilous routes they took from Haryana to Mumbai, Istanbul, and various countries before reaching the US, where many died on the way.
Gandhi also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the rising cost of living, pointing out that the price of a cooking gas cylinder had increased from ₹400 to ₹1,200. He promised, “When our government is formed, you will get it at ₹500, saving ₹700 per cylinder.” He also pledged monthly support of ₹2,000 to women and assured farmers of a Minimum Support Price (MSP).
In a show of unity, Gandhi appeared with top Congress leaders from Haryana, Bhupinder Hooda, MP Deepender Hooda, and Kumari Selja. He appealed to voters to be cautious, warning that smaller parties and Independents aligned with the BJP were aiming to split anti-BJP votes ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections on October 5.
The BJP, aiming for a third term, faces a challenge from Congress, which seeks to reclaim power after 2014.
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