Rahul in Gujarat: Never seen women wear shorts in RSS!
What's the story
Rahul Gandhi began his second day of Navsarjan Yatra in Vadodara by paying his respects to Babasaheb Ambedkar at a Sankalp Bhoomi prayer meeting. Subsequently, Rahul interacted with students at the Sayaji Nagar Gruh. Amongst other things, he claimed that BJP discriminates against women as no woman in RSS shakha wears "shorts," which is the trademark RSS uniform. What else did Gandhi say? Know more!
Jay Shah
Rahul attacks BJP on the controversy surrounding Jay Amit Shah
Recently, The Wire reported that Jay Shah, BJP president Amit Shah's son, had witnessed a 16,000 times increase in his company's revenue since Modi became PM in 2014. Passing a sly comment, Rahul said Modi's Start-up India scheme benefited Jay. Then, calling Modi a gatekeeper, he said "Chowkidaar of India is quiet even after his right hand man's son has made crores from Rs. 50,000."
Gauri Lankesh
Lamenting the safety of journalists, he said Congress promotes criticism
Responding to a question on journalists' safety and Gauri Lankesh'death, Rahul asked, "Why do you think Gauri Lankesh was shot dead." He said, "Truth cannot be suppressed, it can only be concealed for a time." He also said that BJP "wants to intimidate those who speak." Instead, Congress believes that one "has the right to criticize, no matter how harshly."
Anti-women
Rahul attacked RSS/BJP's anti-women stance
Calling "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" a sham, Rahul said considering girls' education in India, "Gujarat does not feature in top 10; thus, Modi's words are hollow." He said BJP's mentality is 'women are good, only if silent.' Completely ignoring RSS' women's wing, Rahul asked, "Why aren't women allowed in RSS?" He asserted that he had seen many women in BJP, but none in RSS.
Women in shorts
Rahul: Has anyone seen women in shorts at RSS shakhas?
Referring to BJP/RSS' anti-women stance, Rahul said RSS is BJP's main outfit. "How many women are there in the RSS? Ever seen any RSS 'shakha' (branch) with women wearing shorts? At least I haven't seen any." BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma retaliated by tweeting, "If your objective is to see women in shorts there's little hope you'll be able to do anything for women empowerment."
Employment
Rahul woos youth on the employment plank
To a question that 'why should people vote for Congress', Rahul said that "employment is the biggest problem" and Congress did a better job at providing that. He asserted, "Congress doesn't leave out people from economy." Like in Gujarat, "10-15 industrialists" have Rs. 7L cr NPAs, but Modi isn't asking them to repay money and instead is focusing on only few industries.
Approach
What is Rahul's approach in Gujarat?
Rahul will visit Bhayli, Padra, Karjan, Dabhol Town etc. where he will be addressing people and attacking Modi on a range of issues from GST, demonetization, unemployment, increase in right-wing extremism among other things. He attributes his new confrontational approach to the BJP whose "constant verbal bashing opened his eyes" and made him realize that Congress had become "arrogant and lost touch with people."
Social media
Meanwhile, "Vikas Gando Thayo Che" might give BJP sleepless nights
Meanwhile, BJP is facing an embarrassing situation on social media, as people are taunting their developmental claims in the state and centre by saying "Vikas Gando Thayo Chhey" (Development has gone bonkers) and "Maara Haara Chhetri Gaya" (They took us for a neat ride). Moreover, this is not a Congress campaign but public generated that might hurt BJP ahead of the polls.