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At a "Parivartan Sankalp Rally" in Ahmedabad, Gandhi spoke to the party's booth-level workers and attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party by quoting Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the nation's first home minister (BJP).

Digital Desk: Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader in the Congress, announced a number of initiatives on Monday to launch the party's campaign for the Gujarat assembly elections that are scheduled for later this year, including a farm loan waiver of up to 3 lakh rupees, 500 rupee LPG cylinders, and free electricity for consumers and farmers (up to 300 units).

At a "Parivartan Sankalp Rally" in Ahmedabad, Gandhi spoke to the party's booth-level workers and attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party by quoting Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the nation's first home minister (BJP).

Who was Sardar Patel and what causes did he defend? His sculptures were constructed by you (the BJP), but he was more than simply a person; he represented the interests of farmers in Gujarat and India. He has never spoken a word against farmers, according to his speeches and the history books. "The three agricultural laws, which were later revoked by the Centre, were intended to take away the rights of farmers," he said. "The BJP works against the people for whom Patel fought.

Speaking at the Sabarmati riverfront, Gandhi announced the establishment of 3,000 English-medium schools where girls' education will be free as well as a subsidy of 5 cents a litre for milk producers. He also promised the development of 1 million new employment in the state. He also declared a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh for the surviving family members of individuals who passed away from Covid-19 in Gujarat.

 

The largest statue in the world was erected as a memorial to Sardar Patel, but at the same time, people who Sardar Patel fought and gave his life for have been insulted. "What does the statue represent?" he asked.

 

Farmers from all over the nation took to the streets to demonstrate against the three laws, and the BJP asserts that it defends the rights of farmers, he continued.

 

In addition to announcing freebies and sops, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which intends to run for all 182 seats in Gujarat, has also mentioned a remission for farm loans and free power for up to 300 units.

 

Gandhi stated during his speech that citizens of the state needed permission to even stage protests. "You must obtain consent from the person you wish to protest against... Did Sardar Patel ask the British for permission to rebel? Gandhi remarked that if you could ask Sardar Patel today what should be done in this circumstance, he would advise you to overthrow the current administration.

 

He also criticized the state's current BJP administration for seizing a significant amount of drugs recently, particularly at the Mundra port.

Only a small number of industrialists benefited from the "Gujarat model," he claimed.

 

"The government will give these businessmen all the land they desire right away. The impoverished and tribal people, however, seldom succeed in obtaining even a modest parcel of land, he claimed.

 

Gandhi declared, "If you fight the manner we did in 2017, I tell you that the Congress is going to establish the government here," expressing his certainty of success in the state this time.

 

Top members of the Congress, including Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, K. C. Venugopal, the party's general secretary, and several other senior members of the state unit, attended the event.

 

Gandhi's comments were responded to by Gujarat BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas, who claimed that in the previous 75 years, the Congress had forgotten about Sardar Patel, a member of their own party.

 

"Sardar Patel was not awarded the Bharat Ratna while the Congress was in power (at the Centre). Now it's nothing less than a comedy that Rahul Gandhi is attempting to win over votes by mentioning Sardar Patel. The Gandhi family has repeatedly made an effort to make sure Sardar is forgotten. The party is making lofty but empty promises since it is aware that the BJP will win again. In the states where they are in power, how many of their election promises have been kept? I want to ask Rahulji," Vyas added.

 

In 2017, Congress won 77 of the total 182 seats in the Gujarat assembly, coming second to the BJP which won 99 seats. The minimum number of seats required by a single party to form the government is 92.

 

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