Kolar, Apr 16 (Agency) Addressing the issue that cost him the Wayanad MP’s post, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday slammed the BJP government for “insulting the OBCs” of this country and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make public a caste census report. “BJP alleges that I insulted the OBCs of this country … In fact, a caste census was conducted while UPA was in power, but the BJP hid the data after assuming power. Today, SCs, STs and OBCs represent only seven per cent of BJP’s central government.” “If the caste census report is revealed, it is going to be clear who is insulting the OBCs. I demand the BJP government and challenge PM Modi to make the report public,” he said addressing the ‘Jai Bharat’ rally here. The Gandhi scion had lost his MP status after a court sentenced him to two years in jail in a defamation case against him for his “all thieves have Modi surname” remark. He had made this remark at Kolar in the run up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul was convicted by Surat court under Section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case was filed by Gujarat BJP MLA Purnesh Modi alleging that Rahul defamed the entire Modi community with his statement. The complaint was filed under IPC sections 499 and 500, both dealing with defamation. Rahul further said he is not scared of BJP’s “intimidation” with disqualification. “They (BJP) think that they will intimidate me with disqualification, but I am not scared. Disqualify me, put me in jail, I am not scared,” he said. Rahul said he wrote two letters to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birala seeking permission to respond to the anti-OBC allegations against him, but was rejected. The Speaker was scared to discuss the Adani issue in the Parliament, and the next moment he was disqualified as MP, he said. On party’s electoral prospects in the May 10 assembly election in the state, Rahul promised to reward the people of Karnataka with 200 units of free electricity; Rs 2,000 per month for women; Rs 3,000 for every graduate for two years; and Rs 1,500 to diploma holders, if Congress comes to power. Rahul Gandhi also brought up the Adani “corruption” issue and said PM Modi only works for Adani and the growth of his empire.
“Whenever I speak about Adani in parliament, my mic is turned off. I even showed the picture of PM Modi sitting next to Adani in his aircraft, and I was forced to put down the image. If I ask the speaker about it, he only smiles and doesn’t answer my question. PM Modi will soon sell this country to Adani,” he said. Earlier in a Facebook Post, Rahul said his party would ensure that Karnataka is freed from the clutches of the “40 per cent commission BJP government.” “The BJP is exploiting the vast potential of the people of the state for its own gain. We will ensure Karnataka is freed from the clutches of the 40 per cent Commission BJP Sarkara. Can’t wait … to listen, learn and formulate a new vision of governance together with the people of the state. Congress Baralide, Pragati Taralide,” he said. The Gandhi scion further said four guarantees given to the people of Karnataka by the Congress party are formidable steps to undo the wrongdoings of BJP’s 40 percent commission government in the state.
“We have felt people’s pain during the Karnataka leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. We have come now with sure shot solutions: Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya, and Yuva Nidhi,” he said. These schemes have been created to ensure that the lives of all Kannadigas get the dignity they deserve, Rahul said. “The Congress and my commitment to Karnataka’s welfare, especially its women and unemployed youth, is unflinching,” he said. Rahul also said, “Basavanna-ji’s teachings of love, humility and compassion are deeply ingrained in every Kannadiga’s DNA and have left a lasting impression on all of us who walked for the better future of India during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.”