Vijayapura: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was displaying "signs of nervousness" about the BJP’s prospects in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
"You hear Modi's speech. He is nervous. In a few days, he will likely be in tears," he said, accusing the Prime Minister of diverting the attention of the public from the ‘real’ issues.
Highlighting the alleged disparity in wealth distribution under the BJP government, Gandhi pledged to empower millions of citizens economically if the Congress comes to power. "While the BJP government made a few people billionaires, the Congress will make crores of people lakhpatis," he asserted addressing a public rally.
During his speech, Gandhi criticised Modi for purportedly diverting attention away from pressing issues such as poverty, inflation, and unemployment. He said the Prime Minister was mum on these critical matters and only focusing on issues like China, and Pakistan, and symbolic gestures such as requesting applause or mobile phone light displays from the audience.
"He will talk of China, and Pakistan, and ask you to clap or switch on your mobile lights but won't talk about poverty, inflation, and unemployment. Only the Congress can address these issues," he said.
Furthermore, Gandhi charged Modi with enriching a select few individuals over the past decade, and alleged that 20-25 people have become billionaires under his tenure. He claimed that crucial infrastructure projects had been handed over to individuals like Gautam Adani, benefiting them greatly.
In stark contrast, Gandhi emphasised the Congress party's commitment to protecting the Indian Constitution and democratic principles. He alleged that the BJP harboured intentions of altering the Constitution if it emerged victorious in the elections. On the contrary, the Congress and the INDIA bloc was striving to uphold the ideals of social reformer Basavanna.
Vijayapura, falling under the Bijapur Lok Sabha constituency, is set to participate in the third phase of parliamentary polls on May 7.