In a recent roadshow in Kozhikode, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of defending what he called “the biggest corruption scandal.” Gandhi’s criticism primarily targeted the electoral bond scheme, which he claimed allowed the BJP to receive large sums of money from Indian businessmen.
During the roadshow, Gandhi referenced Prime Minister Modi’s recent interview with ANI, where Modi defended the electoral bond scheme as a measure to combat black money in elections. However, Gandhi disputed this assertion, alleging that the BJP had amassed significant funds through the scheme at the expense of India’s businessmen.
Moreover, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of diverting attention from crucial issues such as unemployment and price rise by making extravagant promises, such as bringing the Olympics to India or sending a man to the Moon. He claimed that Modi’s focus on such initiatives was a deliberate tactic to shield the interests of the country’s wealthiest individuals while ignoring the plight of ordinary citizens.
In addition to criticizing the electoral bond scheme, Gandhi also took aim at the Agnipath Yojana, a recruitment scheme for the Indian Armed Forces. He labeled the scheme as an “insult” to the Indian Army and young aspirants wishing to serve their country. Gandhi pledged to abolish the Agnipath scheme if the INDI Alliance, led by the Congress party, came to power after the Lok Sabha polls.
The Agnipath Yojana, according to Gandhi, is a plan devised in Narendra Modi’s office and imposed on the Indian Army, rather than being a genuine initiative of the armed forces. Under the scheme, youths between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 years are recruited for a four-year term, with the option to extend the service of 25 percent of them for an additional 15 years.
Gandhi’s criticism of both the electoral bond scheme and the Agnipath Yojana highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Congress party and the ruling BJP. As the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer, such exchanges are likely to intensify as both parties seek to sway voters with their respective agendas.
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