'Bharat Bachao' rally: Rahul, Priyanka, Sonia tear into BJP
What's the story
Waking up from its slumber, Congress did something on Saturday to show the country's opposition is not dead after all. Under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Congress organized a Bharat Bachao rally at Delhi's Ramlila ground, where hundreds turned up to listen to the party's top brass. Heavyweights of the grand old party slammed BJP over the economy, women's safety, and rising inflation.
What he said
Rahul refused to apologize for 'Rape in India' remark. Again!
Yesterday, Rahul was cornered for saying India is no longer about "Make in India", but has become about "Rape in India". This statement provoked sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who asked him to apologize. Rahul said he won't do so, and his stand remained unchanged today. The former Congress President said his name was Rahul Gandhi and not Rahul Savarkar, and he won't apologize.
Twitter Post
Watch: When Rahul said he won't apologize for saying truth
#WATCH: Rahul Gandhi,at 'Bharat Bachao' rally: I was told in Parliament by BJP y'day 'Rahul ji, you gave a speech. Apologise for that.' I was told to apologise for speaking something correct. My name is not Rahul Savarkar. My name is Rahul Gandhi. I will never apologise for truth pic.twitter.com/DhgFyZNX1a
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2019
Attack
PM fooled you with demonetization, said Rahul
Further, Rahul also accused PM Narendra Modi of single-handedly destroying the economy with demonetization. "Narendra Modi ji came and banned Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes... fooled you all by saying that this was done to remove black money.... But what happened? Till today the economy has not been able to recover from it," he added. He also said India's economic growth has fallen.
Details
Who is giving money for PM's TV appearances, asked Rahul
Thereafter, the parliamentarian from Kerala's Wayanad said GDP growth is pegged at 4%, that too after BJP changed the ways to measure it. If the previous method is followed, GDP growth will be just 2.5% he claimed. "Narendra Modi is 24 hours seen on TV. Where is all this money coming from? All this money is the hard-earned money of the citizens," he added.
Priyanka's words
Separately, Priyanka used BJP's slogan to taunt the current regime
At the rally, Rahul's sister Priyanka gave a twist to BJP's "Modi hai to mumkin hai" slogan. She said, "The reality is that if BJP is there, it's possible to get onions at Rs. 100/kg, if there is BJP it's possible for unemployment to climb to its highest figure in 45 years, if there's BJP it's possible for 4 crore jobs to be destroyed."
Twitter Post
We have to raise our voices: Priyanka
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress at the party's 'Bharat Bachao' rally in Delhi: We will be as much responsible for this as much as the arrogant and lying leaders of BJP-RSS. https://t.co/7nr9AjLVhq
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2019
Statement
BJP passes Bills without debates, claimed Sonia
Meanwhile, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the current situation. Hinting at the Citizenship Act and revocation of Article 370, she said BJP imposes new articles, changes the statuses of states, and passes Bills without debates. She also claimed PM Modi and his number 2 in government, Amit Shah, aren't concerned that the Citizenship Act will "shred the soul of India".
Other leaders
Meanwhile, Chidambaram said BJP ministers are clueless about economy
Congress stalwarts like former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also attended the rally. Chidambaram said BJP wrecked the economy in six months, claiming its ministers are clueless. "Yesterday, Finance Minister said we're on top of the world. The only thing she didn't say was 'achhe din aane wale hain'," he added.